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There’s one reason you’re on this website: you’re looking for an elite criminal defense law firm, because you or someone you care about is facing federal criminal charges in Chicago. Let’s cut right to the chase, you need the absolute best legal representation money can buy. Federal cases are a whole different beast compared to state charges. The prosecutors are more experienced and have far greater resources at their disposal. The penalties for conviction are also much harsher in the federal system.I totally get it, you’re stressed, this is a hard situation to deal with – let’s talk about how we can solve this together.
The exact cost depends on multiple factors:
For example, let’s say you’re charged with a relatively straightforward federal misdemeanor offense like simple drug possession. For a case like that, where a plea bargain is likely, you could be looking at $25,000-$40,000 in legal fees. But if you’re indicted on multiple felony counts of fraud, money laundering, racketeering – charges that could put you behind bars for decades – that’s a whole different ballgame. A case that complex and high-stakes, where we’re definitely taking this to trial and pulling out every possible legal maneuver, could easily run you $100,000 or more.
Most law firms implement a cookie cutter strategy in order to fight your case, and save their own time. They don’t look carefully at your situation – they simply want to move on to the next case. At Spodek Law Group, we leave no stones unturned. We do everything possible to win. Everything we do is focused on getting you results. We understand the difficult and challenges of going through a case. If you’re accused of a crime, schedule a consultation with our criminal attorneys today. Sometimes prosecutors will only be fair if you respond with force to them. Without an attorney advising you, you might accidentally plead guilty when you could’ve won the case. The only way to truly know is to hire a private criminal defense attorney. At Spodek Law Group – we pride ourselves on taking a hands-on approach. It means researching the exact situation surrounding your case, and putting in the leg work to be familiar with every single intimate detail. Our firm has excellent work ethics, and we constantly hold firm meetings in order to discuss and address all of our cases. In the event of an emergency – we have a full team of lawyers available to help you. Regardless of how tough your situation is – we are here to help you. Our criminal defense lawyers work hard to have a solution for you, irrespective of the situation you find yourself in. Many clients are often embarrassed by their situation, and don’t speak openly about their alleged issue. We encourage open dialogue, and recommend full transparency – so we can give you the best possible legal advice.
So what exactly are those hefty legal fees covering when you hire a top-tier federal criminal defense firm like ours? Here’s a breakdown of some of the key costs:
Before we can even start building a defense strategy, we need to conduct a thorough independent investigation into your case. This involves:
Investigations get more expensive the more complex and document-intensive your case is. White collar crime cases involving fraud or embezzlement often require the most investigation resources.
In many federal criminal cases, we need to hire expert witnesses to provide testimony and evidence that strengthens our defense strategy. Depending on your charges, we may need to retain:
The more experts we need to consult, and the bigger their role is in proving your defense, the higher these fees climb. Expert witness costs are where you can really see that $100,000+ number come into play for complex federal cases.
This is what most people think of when it comes to legal fees – the hourly rates charged by the attorneys actually representing you in court. Rates can vary significantly based on:
At Spodek Law Group, our most junior associates bill out at around $400/hour, while our senior partners charge $800/hour or more for their time. So just the attorney fees for a federal case that goes to trial could potentially cost $75,000 all on their own.
And we’re still not done – there are a whole bunch of other miscellaneous costs that can get tacked onto your final legal fee, such as:
For a complex federal case being tried in multiple jurisdictions with a lot of moving parts, these extra costs can really add up quickly into the tens of thousands.So in summary, when you pay for an elite federal criminal defense lawyer, you’re paying for:
It’s an all-hands-on-deck effort using every resource and strategy in our playbook to secure the best possible outcome for you. That’s why you pay a premium, but it’s a small price to pay to protect your freedom and your future.
This is the biggest factor – the more serious your charges are, the higher your legal fees will be. Federal charges get classified into different “levels” based on their severity:
Misdemeanors will generally cost you between $10,000 on the very low end up to $50,000 or so for a complex Class A misdemeanor that goes to trial. Felonies start around $50,000 and can go up into the hundreds of thousands.
The more charges you’re facing, the more work your legal team has to do to provide a robust defense for each one. So if you’re charged with just one count of tax evasion, it’ll cost less than if you’re facing 12 counts of tax evasion, money laundering, wire fraud, etc.
Some cases are simply more complex than others based on factors like:
The more complexity, the more time your lawyers need to spend digging into every nook and cranny, and the higher your costs.
Different federal agencies pursue different types of crimes, and some are just better funded and more aggressive than others. For example, cases involving the IRS, FBI, DEA, or Department of Justice tend to be very expensive to defend against.
In general, you’ll pay about 2-3x more in legal fees if your federal criminal case goes to trial vs. resolving in a plea bargain. Trials are just way more labor-intensive in terms of:
Of course, the specific rates charged by the attorneys you hire play a big role in your overall costs. At Spodek Law Group, our rates for federal criminal cases in Chicago are:
So if you have a senior partner quarterbacking your defense, with a few junior associates also logging hours, those attorney fees alone could hit $75,000+ for a case that goes to trial.
Legal fees tend to be higher across the board in big cities like Chicago compared to more rural areas. Lawyers have higher overhead costs, more demand for their services, and can generally just command higher rates.
I know what you’re thinking – with those kinds of price tags, how can anyone afford to hire an elite federal criminal defense lawyer in Chicago? It’s a legitimate concern, but there are a number of options that can make these costs more manageable:
Pretty much every reputable criminal defense firm should be willing to work out some kind of payment plan for legal fees, rather than demanding one lump sum upfront. A typical plan might involve:
The key is working with a firm like Spodek Law Group that understands this is a big financial burden. We’re flexible in structuring payments in whatever way works best for your situation.
For many clients, taking out some kind of loan or line of credit is the only way to afford proper legal representation. Options include:
Just be cautious about taking on too much debt and make sure you have a repayment plan. But taking on some debt now is better than the alternative of inadequate legal counsel.
Liquidating major assets like real estate, vehicles, investment accounts, etc. can provide a lump sum of cash to cover legal fees. Of course, this route only works if you have significant assets to sell in the first place.
For high-profile cases or cases that have generated public interest, crowdfunding can be a way to raise funds from supporters to go towards your legal fees. Platforms like GoFundMe and CrowdJustice are popular options.
For clients who are truly destitute with no means to pay, pro bono (free) legal representation is sometimes possible. However, this is extremely rare for federal criminal cases given their complexity. More likely is getting a public defender appointed if you can’t afford a private lawyer.
I’ll leave you with this point to ponder: when you’re facing serious federal criminal charges that could deprive you of your freedom and future, can you really afford NOT to pay for the best legal representation possible? The consequences of a federal conviction are devastating:
Compared to those life-altering outcomes, even a $100,000+ legal fee seems like a drop in the bucket. It’s an investment in your future that could pay off exponentially.
At Spodek Law Group, we’ve seen firsthand how clients who try to cheap out on a lawyer often end up with disastrous results and regrets. Don’t make that mistake – your life and liberty are too precious. If you or a loved one has been charged with a federal crime in Chicago, we’re here to help. Schedule a consultation with our elite team of criminal defense attorneys today. We’ll listen to your story, explain all your options, and build an unstoppable defense strategy tailored to your unique situation. No matter how daunting your charges seem, we’ve got your back every step of the way. Defending your freedom is our passion and our life’s work. With our unparalleled legal expertise, grit, and dedication to your case, we’ll give you the absolute best chance at the justice you deserve.
Please feel free to email us any questions regarding services that we may assist you with. You may also contact us by mail, telephone or fax.
