This is not an easy question to answer. It depends for what crime your New York defense lawyer is defending you against. It could be a civil case or a criminal one. If it is a criminal case, how serious is it? The more complex a case is the higher will be the charges. Lawyers fix their own charges and this depends on various factors, such as the experience of the lawyer concerned, and the complexity of the case. A less experienced lawyer may comparatively cost you less. However, it is the question of your liberty, and so it is your call.

If you are a defendant in a case of misdemeanor your lawyer’s fee may vary between $3,000 and $5,000. A felony defense may cost you between $15,000 and $25,000 in lawyer’s fees. A New York defense lawyer defending you in a criminal case may want the full fee paid up front, or will want at least a substantial amount paid before your case is taken up.

Representing Yourself?

This is one question many defendants ask. It is more sensible to hire an attorney, howsoever minor a case may be. You may consider not hiring a lawyer if you are defending yourself in a minor traffic offense, but you could be losing your driver’s license for up to a year, or more. Could you live with this?

It is advisable that you hire a lawyer, whether it is a case where you could lose your license, or your liberty. Your New York defense lawyer knows how best to defend you.

Negotiate The Fee

Keep one thing in mind. You may have heard of contingency fee and of working out other payment arrangements. This is not applicable if you are a defendant in a criminal case. Contingency fees are fee where you pay your lawyer after he wins you the case. This is applicable where you are suing for monetary compensation.

Many a New York defense lawyer works on a flat fee basis while some charge on an hourly basis. For the fee to be charged on an hourly basis, you may have to put down some money upfront. The charges are deducted from the kitty and you will need to replenish the same, as and when required. The amount you put upfront will depend on the severity of the case.

It is from this kitty that your lawyer arranges to pay the cost of hiring expert witnesses and private investigators to help investigate the aspects of your case. There is filing fees involved when initiating motions.

The charges vary, as already explained. If you have been charged with murder, a capital offense, the legal costs including your lawyer fee may vary from between $100,000 and a million dollars!

These are not sacrosanct, and are negotiable. Negotiate the fee you have to pay to your New York defense lawyer and arrive at an affordable figure