Fees | Fort Pierce Criminal Lawyer

Quality legal representation in a criminal case requires payment of a reasonable fee. The term “reasonable” is not a static concept; it depends on multiple factors. These include the nature, severity, and complexity of the charge, the jurisdiction where the case is brought, the law enforcement agency—state or federal—that conducted the investigation, the judge assigned to the case, and the prosecutor selected to represent the government.

Perhaps more importantly, the ‘reasonableness’ of a fee is dependent upon the lawyer selected to undertake the representation. Different lawyers have different levels of experience, talent, knowledge of the local area, legal expertise, and track records. The practice of law is an art where success depends, as much as in any other art, upon the application of ingenuity, imagination, and sometimes even inspiration.

Establishing a Fee is a Unique Process

Some of the considerations utilized by our firm in establishing a “reasonable” fee are:

The time and labor expected to be required. (Fort Pierce Criminal cases are rarely, if ever, charged ‘by the hour’, but rather involve a “flat” fee, and, dependent upon the individual case, trial fees and, in some cases, a flat fee combined with an hourly rate, should the case exceed certain parameters.)
The novelty, complexity, and difficulty of the questions involved, and the skill level of the lawyer performing the services.
The likelihood that the engagement will act to preclude other employment by the lawyer.
The fees charged by other, similarly situated counsel for legal services of a similar nature.
The experience, reputation, diligence, and ability of the Lawyer performing the service, and the skill, expertise, and efficiency demonstrated throughout the course of the engagement.

In a criminal prosecution, the client faces the ultimate sanction, loss of his or her liberty. The choosing of counsel is an important decision; one with profound consequences, and one which should be carefully and thoughtfully made after deliberation. The decision of which counsel to retain ought not be relegated to one of ‘going with the lowest bidder’—–the stakes are far too high.