Criminal Defense
Facing criminal charges is overwhelming. In fact, you may not know what to do at first. One of the first steps you should take is to hire a criminal defense lawyer in Des Moines, IA from a law firm like the Law Group Of Iowa. When hiring a lawyer, however, you need to think about the cost. How much will a criminal defense lawyer cost you in the long run? Here are the different ways that you can afford a lawyer for your case.
Hourly and Case Billing
Many criminal justice lawyers work for an hourly fee or on a case-by-case fee. The more experienced the lawyer, the higher the fees. If you have a complicated case, you may require the services of an experienced lawyer, but the cost could become a deterrent. Lawyer fees can range from $50 an hour to hundreds or thousands of dollars for an hour of the lawyer’s time. Take this into consideration before your consultation, so you know what to expect.
Other lawyers may provide you with a flat fee for the trial. This gives you some predictability and you do not have to worry about hourly fees. Other lawyers may provide you with a flat fee but charge by the hour until you reach the fee. This keeps you from overpaying for the lawyer’s time. Lawyers who charge hourly and with a flat fee may offer payment plans for clients to afford them.
Pro Bono Work
If you find a lawyer willing to work for you pro bono, you will not pay him or her any fees. Some lawyers offer pro bono work to receive more experience, whereas others do it for those who may not have the funds to afford an attorney. Some lawyers have a limit on the amount of pro bono cases they take per year. When an attorney takes your case pro bono, he or she is paid by the courts. If you’re interested in a lawyer who may be able to offer pro bono work, do research about your local attorneys and call the firm to find out who pro bono work is offered to and in what cases they may be willing to work with.
If you are under investigation by the police, do not speak to the police without representation from a lawyer who can offer guidance and support on your behalf. When speaking with the police, keep in mind that they are interested in closing the case, and not in ensuring that you are not the guilty party or are in a position to receive a fair deal. A lawyer will strongly do their best in keeping your interests in mind and be able to offer a good deal of support. To start the process, consider setting up a consultation with a lawyer who specializes in criminal defense as soon as possible to find out the cost of hiring a lawyer for your criminal defense case.