What Is a Private Lawyer Likely to Cost?
If you find yourself involved in a legal case, civil or criminal, the most important thing for you to do is find legal representation. Representing yourself is not a viable option. However, hiring an attorney has a reputation for being quite expensive. How much is a private attorney likely to cost? This is an important question, but there are a large number of factors that affect attorney cost. Learn everything you need to know about paying for an attorney.
Public Defender and Contingency Fees
First, however, you should understand that you have many options for paying for your attorney. If you are the defendant in a criminal case, consider getting a public defender. Legal representation is a US right every citizen has in criminal cases. You do not need to spend a cent on a public defender.
Additionally, if you are the plaintiff in a civil case, consider looking for an attorney who will work for a contingency fee. This means you will not owe your attorney anything until you win your case. If you lose, you will not owe anything. This will allow you to pay your attorney with a portion of the amount you win from the case.
The Cost to Expect
Private attorneys can cost anything from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. It is usually possible to find an attorney for anything in this range. However, there are many factors that affect the average cost. Keep these factors in mind when managing your cost expectations:
- Your location – Attorneys typically cost more in bigger cities. However, this is balanced by there being more options to choose from.
- The complexity of your case – More complicated cases require your attorney to work harder and put in more hours.
- The level of specialization – Attorneys that are specialized for a particular kind of case will often charge more.
- How strong your case is – Attorneys like to take cases they think they can win and will charge more if losing is a big possibility.
- Who the opponent is – Your attorney will probably cost less if you are going up against an individual, rather than a large corporation or organization.
It is important to consider all these factors when looking for a criminal lawyer in Bloomington, IL. You probably will not be able to find an attorney for only a couple hundred dollars unless your case is strong, small, and against an individual. If you are worried about the cost, you should spend some time looking for legal aid options in your area.
Thanks to Pioletti, Pioletti & Nichols for their insight into criminal law and the likely cost of a private lawyer.
