What Does a Criminal Defense Attorney Cost in Miami-Dade?

A defense attorney’s cost depends on the charge, the stage of the case, the amount of work it takes, and how the lawyer bills. No single price fits every case. This page explains how those pieces fit together and which additional costs may apply alongside the lawyer’s fee.

The Short Answer: Why There Is No Single Price

There is no single price because every criminal case has different facts, charges, and amounts of work. A quoted fee only means something after a lawyer reviews those facts and the law that applies. No number on this page is a promise of what your case will cost.

You may be reading this for a spouse, partner, child, or other relative. Someone you love may have been charged with a DUI, domestic violence, or another offense they did not plan. The money question often arrives on top of the stress of the charge itself.

Four things usually shape the total: the charge level, the stage of the case, the work required, and the fee structure the lawyer uses. Knowing these up front makes the quote easier to read.

How Criminal Defense Lawyers Bill: Flat Fees, Hourly Rates, and Retainers

Most criminal defense lawyers use a flat fee, an hourly rate, or a retainer. Some combine them. A flat fee covers a defined set of work for one set price. An hourly rate bills for the time the lawyer spends. A retainer is an upfront deposit that the lawyer draws against as work is done.

Each structure fits different cases. A flat fee gives you a clear starting point, but you should ask what it covers. Does it include a trial, or only early hearings? An hourly rate can grow as the case grows. A retainer may need to be refilled when the balance runs low.

Changes in scope can change the total. A trial setting, an extra hearing, new evidence, or a witness who needs an interview can all add work. Ask how each of these is billed before you sign anything.

What Moves the Price in a Domestic Violence or DUI Case

In a domestic violence or DUI case, the charge level and the amount of work matter most. The law sorts crimes into felony and misdemeanor degrees, and each level carries different penalties (felony and misdemeanor classes).

Work also grows with court appearances, review of police reports and video, and witness interviews. Whether a case settles early or goes to trial changes the workload too.

Prior history matters. For a DUI, a prior conviction can raise the penalties under the statute (Fla. Stat. § 316.193). Penalties in domestic violence cases depend on the facts of the case and applicable law.

The facts and the applicable law decide how any case moves. No one can promise that a case will resolve quickly or cheaply.

Costs Beyond the Lawyer’s Fee

Costs beyond the lawyer’s fee can include court-imposed fines, court costs, restitution, program fees, and outside witness fees. Many people are surprised by these amounts because they come from the court, not the lawyer.

Fines have caps by degree. For a third-degree felony, the cap is $5,000. The amount of any fine for a first-degree misdemeanor depends on the facts of the case and applicable law. Court costs may apply in a given case, and the amount depends on the facts and applicable law.

Restitution works differently. Depending on the facts and applicable law, the court may order restitution for damage or loss caused by the offense, and payments may be set in installments. A restitution order does not bar a later civil claim, but its amount is subtracted from any later recovery.

DUI programs also charge a $15 assessment at enrollment (Fla. Stat. § 322.293).

Unpaid court obligations can lead to a license suspension. After notice, a person has 30 days to comply and pay a delinquency fee of up to $25 (Fla. Stat. § 322.245). Ask for the full list of possible costs in writing.

Public Defender or Private Attorney: How the Cost Question Changes

A court may appoint a public defender when a person cannot afford a lawyer. Whether that happens depends on the court’s review of your finances and your case.

If you are not eligible, or you want a lawyer you choose, you can hire private counsel. The main difference is who selects the lawyer and how the representation is arranged. With private counsel, you pick the person and agree on terms in writing.

Hiring private counsel does not change the outcome by itself. The result depends on the facts and the applicable law.

One practical point applies to felony cases. If probation is ordered, its terms and supervision depend on the facts of the case and applicable law.

Payment Plans, Credit, and Third-Party Financing

Some firms offer payment plans for their fees. Many clients also pay with credit cards or third-party financing. Each option has its own terms, interest, and fees, so read them before you agree.

Court payments follow a separate process. The clerk of the court collects fines, fees, and costs. A person may apply for a payment plan under s. 28.246(4) instead of paying in full (Fla. Stat. § 775.083).

Any fee this firm states will be honored for at least 90 days, unless the fee agreement states a shorter period. The firm does not offer discounts, bonuses, or other incentives in exchange for hiring it or for viewing its advertising.

Questions to Ask Before You Sign a Fee Agreement

Before you sign, ask what the fee covers, what it leaves out, and which costs will be passed on to you. A clear agreement should answer these questions before work begins.

• What is included in the fee, and what is not?
• Which costs are passed through to me, such as witness fees or evaluation charges?
• How are extra hearings and trial preparation billed?
• Is there a retainer? How is it applied, and what happens when it runs low?
• Which lawyer will handle my case, and who do I contact day to day?

Ask for the answers in writing and keep a signed copy. A verbal quote is not enough. Use the agreement to confirm the total you may owe.

Talking Through Your Own Case and Costs

Patrick Wilson Law, PLLC is a Miami criminal defense firm that serves Miami-Dade, Broward, and the Keys. A free consultation can cover the charge at a general level, how fees are structured, and your cost questions.

You may be deciding in a hurry while someone you care about faces a charge. It is reasonable to ask questions before you commit to anything.

Frequently Asked Questions