Criminal Defense Lawyers

How much does a criminal lawyer in Philadelphia cosT?

How Much Does a Criminal Lawyer in Philadelphia Cost?

The Short Answer

Hiring a top criminal defense attorney in Philly ain’t cheap – but you get what you pay for. Expect fees anywhere from $300/hour on the low end, all the way up to $1,000+/hour for the real heavy hitters. Most lawyers require a hefty upfront retainer too, like $25,000 minimum.But listen, this is your life we’re talking about here. You can’t put a price tag on your freedom, right? So while those rates might make you gulp, just remember – you gotta spend money to make money…or in this case, stay outta jail!

The Nitty Gritty Details

Okay, let’s dive into the dirty deets on criminal lawyer costs in Philadelphia. There‘s a bunch of factors that‘ll determine what you end up paying:

The Charges

Obviously, the more serious the alleged crime, the higher those legal fees are gonna be. A simple DUI case with no injuries might only set you back $5,000-10,000. But if we’re talking felony charges like assault, robbery, or worse…you’re easily looking at $25,000 to $100,000+ in total costs.Why the huge range? Well, a talented lawyer will need to spend way more hours prepping for a complex case – investigating evidence, filing motions, negotiating with prosecutors, and so on.

The Lawyer’s Experience

You know what they say – you pay peanuts, you get monkeys. An inexperienced attorney straight outta law school might only charge $150-300/hour. But a veteran criminal defense pro with decades of courtroom experience and a proven track record? They can easily command $500-1,000/hourly.While it’s tempting to go cheap, remember – this is literally your life on the line here. You want the best freakin’ lawyer money can buy, am I right?

Case Complexity

Some cases are just gonna require more work than others. If it’s a “he said, she said” situation with minimal evidence, your fees will be lower. But if we’re talking forensics, expert witnesses, lengthy trials – that‘s when costs can easily skyrocket into six figures.Another factor is whether you opt for a bench trial (judge only) or jury trial. Jury trials mean a lot more prep work, not to mention the extra costs of jury consultants.

Location, Location, Location

Lawyer rates in a big city like Philly are always gonna be higher than rural areas. You‘re paying for that prime Center City real estate, baby! Expect to pay a premium for those top-rated Philly criminal attorneys.

Plea Bargains vs. Taking it to Trial

Around 90% of criminal cases never actually go to trial because they get settled via plea bargain. And you know what? That’s gonna save you a ton in legal fees versus taking your chances at trial.If your lawyer can negotiate a favorable plea deal in just a few court appearances, you might be looking at $5,000-15,000 in total costs. But a lengthy trial that drags on for weeks or months? Yeah…get ready to sell your car and take out a second mortgage.

Christine Twomey

2024-03-21

Just had my Divorce case settled 2 months ago after having a horrible experience with another firm. I couldn’t be happier with Claire Banks and Elizabeth Garvey with their outstanding professionalism in doing so with Spodek Law Group. Any time I needed questions answered they were always prompt in doing so with all my uncertainties after 30 yrs of marriage.I feel from the bottom of my heart you will NOT be disappointed with either one. Thanks a million.

Brendan huisman

2024-03-18

Alex Zhik contacted me almost immediately when I reached out to Spodek for a consultation and was able to effectively communicate the path forward/consequences of my legal issue. I immediately agreed to hire Alex for his services and did not regret my choice. He was able to cover my case in court (with 1 day notice) and not only was he able to push my case down, he carefully negotiated a dismissal of the charge altogether. I highly recommend Spodek, and more specifically, Alex Zhik for all of your legal issues. Thanks guys!

Guerline Menard

2024-03-18

Thanks again Spodek law firm, particularly Esq Claire Banks who stood right there with us up to the finish line. Attached photos taken right outside of the court building and the smile on our faces represented victory, a breath of fresh air and satisfaction. We are very happy that this is over and we can move on with our lives. Thanks Spodek law 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙌🏼❤️

Keisha Parris

2024-03-15

Believe every single review here about Alex Z!! From our initial consultation, it was evident that Alex possessed a profound understanding of criminal law and a fierce dedication to his clients rights. Throughout the entirety of my case, Alex exhibited unparalleled professionalism and unwavering commitment. What sets Alex apart is not only his legal expertise but also his genuine compassion for his clients. He took the time to thoroughly explain my case, alleviating any concerns I had along the way. His exact words were “I’m not worried about it”. His unwavering support and guidance were invaluable throughout the entire process. I am immensely grateful for Alex's exceptional legal representation and wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Alex Z is not just a lawyer; he is a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of the legal system. If you find yourself in need of a dedicated and competent legal advocate, look no further than Alex Z.

Taïko Beauty

2024-03-15

I don’t know where to start, I can write a novel about this firm, but one thing I will say is that having my best interest was their main priority since the beginning of my case which was back in Winter 2019. Miss Claire Banks, one of the best Attorneys in the firm represented me very well and was very professional, respectful, and truthful. Not once did she leave me in the dark, in fact she presented all options and routes that could possibly be considered for my case and she reinsured me that no matter what I decided to do, her and the team will have my back and that’s exactly what happened. Not only will I be liberated from this case, also, I will enjoy my freedom and continue to be a mother to my first born son and will have no restrictions with accomplishing my goals in life. Now that’s what I call victory!! I thank the Lord, My mother, Claire, and the Spodek team for standing by me and fighting with me. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work with this team. I’m very satisfied, very pleased with their performance, their hard work, and their diligence. Thank you team!

Anthony Williams

2024-03-12

Hey, how you guys doing? Good afternoon my name is Anthony Williams I just want to give a great shout out to the team of. Spodek law group. It is such a honor to use them and to use their assistance through this whole case from start to finish. They did everything that they said they was gonna do and if it ever comes down to it, if I ever have to use them again, hands-down they will be the first law office at the top of my list, thank you guys so much. It was a pleasure having you guys by my side so if you guys ever need them, do not hesitate to pick up the phone and give them a call.

Loveth Okpedo

2024-03-12

Very professional, very transparent, over all a great experience

Bee L

2024-02-28

Amazing experience with Spodek! Very professional lawyers who take your case seriously. They treated me with respect, were always available, and answered any and all questions. They were able to help me very successfully and removed a huge stress. Highly recommend.

divesh patel

2024-02-24

I can't recommend Alex Zhik and Spodek Law Firm highly enough for their exceptional legal representation and personal mentorship. From the moment I engaged their services in October 2022, Alex took the time to understand my case thoroughly and provided guidance every step of the way. Alex's dedication to my case went above and beyond my expectations. His expertise, attention to detail, and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome were evident throughout the entire process. He took the time to mentor me, ensuring I understood the legal complexities involved to make informed decisions. Alex is the kind of guy you would want to have a beer with and has made a meaningful impact on me. I also want to acknowledge Todd Spodek, the leader of the firm, who played a crucial role in my case. His leadership and support bolstered the efforts of Alex, and his involvement highlighted the firm's commitment to excellence. Thanks to Alex Zhik and Todd Spodek, I achieved the outcome I desired, and I am incredibly grateful for their professionalism, expertise, and genuine care. If you're in need of legal representation, look no further than this outstanding team.

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Google rating score: 4.9 of 5, based on 736 reviews

How to Keep Those Legal Bills Down

I get it – those numbers are scary AF. But there are a few ways to try and keep those criminal defense costs as low as possible:

• Be upfront about your budget from the start. A good lawyer will try to work within your means by cutting certain corners when possible.
• See if you qualify for a public defender. If you’re truly broke, you may be entitled to a free court-appointed lawyer. Just know that public defenders are crazy overworked.
• Ask about payment plans. Many law firms will let you pay the fees off in installments versus all upfront.
• Consider legal insurance. Some pre-paid legal services offer affordable criminal coverage as part of their plans.
• Opt for a less experienced lawyer. Just be warned – you’re taking a big risk by going this cheap route.
• See if your case qualifies for a flat fee. For simpler cases, some lawyers offer flat rate pricing versus hourly rates.

The Bottom Line

At the end of the day, you need to be prepared to spend a pretty penny on solid criminal defense if you get accused of a crime. Yeah, those lawyer rates are no joke – but you gotta ask yourself, what’s your freedom worth to you?So do your research, read those online reviews, and hire the best damn lawyer your money can buy. When it comes to keeping your butt outta jail, you can’t afford to cut corners, feel me?Oh, and one last piece of advice – stay outta trouble in the first place! A criminal record can mess up your life in so many ways. But if you do find yourself on the wrong side of the law, just remember – we got your back at Spodek Law Group. Our Philly criminal attorneys have seen it all and will fight tooth and nail for you. So don’t hesitate to give us a call if you need help, a’ight?

Key Takeaways

• Criminal lawyers in Philadelphia charge anywhere from $300-1,000+/hour
• Typical fees range from $5,000 for a simple case to $100,000+ for serious felonies
• The more complex the case, the higher the costs due to extra prep work
• Hiring an experienced lawyer costs more but is worth it for tough cases
• Try negotiating fees, payment plans, or legal insurance to keep costs down
• But don’t cheap out – your freedom is priceless!

Why Lawyer Costs Vary So Much

Okay, now that we’ve covered the basic pricing, let’s dig a little deeper into why criminal defense costs can fluctuate so wildly. There‘s a bunch of different factors at play:

The Charges

This is like, Criminal Law 101 here. The more serious the alleged offense, the higher those legal fees are gonna be. Why? Because your lawyer is gonna have to spend way more hours prepping for a complex case.For example, let’s say you got busted for a simple DUI in Pennsylvania. No injuries, no crazy circumstances – just a standard drunk driving rap. You might only be looking at $5,000-10,000 to resolve that.But if we’re talking felony charges like aggravated assault, armed robbery, sexual assault, or worse – now we’re in the $25,000 to $100,000+ territory easily. The stakes are just way higher, so your lawyer has to leave no stone unturned investigating every shred of evidence.They’ll need to spend hundreds of hours:

• Pouring over police reports and forensics
• Interviewing witnesses
• Filing motions to suppress evidence
• Negotiating with prosecutors
• Prepping for trial

And that‘s all just to start! The more serious and complex the case, the more your lawyer has to work. So it makes total sense that the costs would skyrocket accordingly.

The Lawyer’s Reputation & Experience

This one’s a no-brainer – you get what you pay for when it comes to hiring an attorney. An inexperienced fresh-outta-law-school lawyer might only charge $150-300 per hour. But a veteran criminal defense pro with decades of courtroom experience and a proven track record? They can easily command $500-1,000+ hourly rates.I mean, would you want a public defender who’s overworked with 100+ cases on their plate defending you on a serious felony charge? Or would you rather have one of Philly’s premier criminal law firms like the Spodek Law Group in your corner?The choice is obvious. You want the heavy hitters – the lawyers that prosecutors know and fear. The ones with connections and experience to fight tooth and nail for you.While it‘s tempting to just go with the cheapest option, you gotta ask yourself – is this really the time to cut corners when your entire life is on the line? For tough cases, you need to hire the absolute best lawyer money can buy. Period.

Case Complexity

Some criminal cases are just gonna be way more work than others. If it‘s a basic “he said, she said” situation with no forensic evidence or witnesses, your fees will be on the lower end. An experienced lawyer might be able to resolve something like that relatively quickly.But if we’re talking DNA evidence, hours of surveillance footage, conflicting witness testimonies, complex financial crimes, and so on? That‘s when costs can easily skyrocket into six figures because of all the extra prep work required.Your lawyer will need to spend way more hours:

• Obtaining and reviewing discovery evidence
• Hiring expert witnesses and private investigators
• Filing pre-trial motions
• Holding mock trials
• And ultimately, taking the case all the way to a lengthy jury trial

Another factor that’ll impact costs? Whether you opt for a bench trial (judge only) or jury trial. Jury trials mean your lawyer has to do a ton of extra work prepping jurors, not to mention the added costs of jury consultants.So while that $100/hour criminal defense attorney might be tempting for basic cases, you’re gonna want to hire heavy-hitting litigators for anything particularly complex. The costs will be higher, but having a strong legal team can literally make or break your case.

Location Matters

In case you haven’t noticed, lawyer rates in a big city like Philadelphia are always gonna be way higher than rural areas of Pennsylvania. You’re paying for that prime Center City real estate and higher operating costs.Honestly, good luck finding any halfway decent criminal defense attorney in Philly for under $300/hour. The top-rated criminal lawyers in the city can easily charge $500-1,000+ hourly rates.Meanwhile, a small-town lawyer a few hours outside of Philly might only charge $150-300/hour for the same services. Huge difference!The location factor is why you’ll see such a big range in pricing from different attorneys. If you’re just looking for the cheapest option, you might consider hiring someone outside the city. But for the best defense possible, you‘re gonna want to go with a reputable Philadelphia firm.

Plea Bargains vs. Taking it to Trial

One of the biggest factors impacting your total legal costs? Whether your case gets settled via a plea bargain or goes all the way to trial. Around 90% of criminal cases never actually make it to trial because they get resolved with a plea deal.And you know what? That’s gonna save you a ton in legal fees versus taking your chances at trial.If your lawyer can negotiate a favorable plea deal in just a few court appearances, you might be looking at $5,000-15,000 in total costs for a felony case. Sure, it’s still expensive – but nothing compared to a lengthy trial.Because if you take your case to trial, get ready to sell your car and take out a second mortgage on your house. Trials that drag on for weeks or months can easily cost $50,000-100,000+ in legal fees alone.Your lawyer will be spending hours upon hours:

• Prepping witnesses and your testimony
• Dealing with motions from the prosecution
• Picking a jury
• Delivering opening/closing statements
• Cross-examining evidence
• And so much more

So while it’s tempting to want your day in court, you gotta carefully weigh the financial costs too. Accepting a plea deal sucks, but it may be way cheaper than bankrupting yourself over a long trial.

How to Keep Those Legal Bills Down

I get it – those numbers I just threw out are scary AF. Hiring a criminal defense lawyer in Philadelphia ain’t cheap! But there are a few ways to try and keep those costs as low as possible:Be upfront about your budget from the start. A good lawyer will try to work within your means by cutting certain corners when possible. Maybe they rely more on plea negotiations versus an expensive trial. Or they hire fewer expert witnesses and investigators. Just be upfront that you’re on a tight budget.See if you qualify for a public defender. If you’re truly broke, you may be entitled to a free court-appointed public defender. Just know that public defenders are crazy overworked with tons of cases, so they can‘t devote as much time to you.Ask about payment plans. Many criminal law firms will let you pay the fees off in installments versus all upfront. It’ll still be expensive, but breaking it into chunks makes it easier to afford.Consider legal insurance. Some pre-paid legal services offer affordable criminal coverage as part of their plans. For around $25-50/month, you get access to a law firm for legal advice and discounted rates if you get accused of a crime.Opt for a less experienced lawyer. I really don’t recommend this for serious charges, but you can save money by hiring an inexperienced attorney fresh out of law school. Just be warned – you‘re taking a big risk by going this cheap route.See if your case qualifies for a flat fee. For simpler cases like DUIs or misdemeanors, some lawyers offer flat rate pricing versus hourly rates. You’ll know the total costs upfront, which can help with budgeting.