As you’ve probably noticed, attorneys don’t usually post their rates.  Every case is different, and every attorney is different, so it’s very hard to make generalizations and “standard rates.”  Rates depend on the complexity of the case, the number of lesser charges, the court where the charges were filed, and whether or not trial fees are included up-front.

I will always work at an hourly rate if that’s what the potential client wants, but for some cases I will give potential clients a choice between flat fee and hourly rates. It’s not that one type of rate structure is inherently better than another, there are just tradeoffs involved.

You can represent yourself in any case you want, from a speeding ticket to a murder charge, but you won’t be surprised to hear that we lawyers would usually recommend against it.  There can be several hidden costs to even a “minor” crime which make it important to get the best result possible: higher insurance rates, the loss of your driver’s license, monthly fees for an ignition interlock device, fees for counseling programs, and a criminal record that impairs your later career prospects.  A lawyer could possibly save you from these costs, give you piece of mind during the process, and might not be as expensive as you think.  It’s worth at least a (free) consultation to find out.

You can if you want to, but there are a couple reasons why you should think twice: Someone else who committed the same crime and fights the charge or negotiates with the prosecutor might get a lesser penalty, even if they eventually accept responsibility by pleading guilty.  Something like 90% of criminal convictions result from plea deals, so the system, in a sense, has adapted to them.

Furthermore, even if you believe you are guilty of the charged crime, the police may have made mistakes or violated your constitutional rights while investigating your case.  If so, forcing the prosecution to dismiss the case or reduce the charges not only helps you, but it helps all citizens by removing the incentive for law enforcement officers to abuse civil rights.