If you or a loved one is facing criminal charges, you are likely considering hiring an attorney to represent you in court. However, legal representation can be quite expensive, and you have to carefully consider what a defense attorney is and what costs are involved.
While the rates for a Virginia Beach criminal defense attorney will vary greatly depending on the lawyer’s experience and the complexity of your case, here are some approximate ranges to give you an idea of what you might have to spend.
Assault and Battery Defense Costs
Assault and battery are serious offenses that can result in lengthy jail sentences or hefty fines.
Considering the severity of the consequences of these charges, hiring a defense attorney to defend you in an assault and battery case can be quite expensive. Total costs can run from $5,000 to as high as $100,000, depending on the degree of injury to the victim and the exact nature of the charges.
While you’ve likely heard the terms assault and battery before, most people don’t understand the legal distinctions between the two. A common misconception is that inflicting physical harm on someone is necessary for a charge of assault and battery. This is not true–even attempting to strike someone, or simply threatening to hurt them, can be sufficient for an assault and battery charge in Virginia.
It’s also essential to understand the difference between the two. Attempting or threatening to harm someone is categorized as assault, while offensively touching someone is considered battery.
Drug Possession and Misuse Defense Costs
In general, hiring a defense attorney to represent you against drug possession or misuse charges can cost between $3,000 and $10,000.
Substances that can land you in legal trouble in Virginia include LSD, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and marijuana (in some cases). Possessing substances used to create and grow controlled drugs is also unlawful.
It’s important to understand that drug possession laws typically fall into two categories:
- Simple possession, where the individual has the drugs only for personal use
- Possession with intent to distribute, where the individual plans on selling part or all of the substances.
The second category usually results in harsher sentences.
The value of the drugs, witness testimony, evidence of intent to sell, and testimony of law enforcement all affect how serious the charge is considered and therefore the overall cost of defense.
Misdemeanor Defense Costs
Misdemeanors are not as serious as felonies, but more serious than violations and other infractions. Getting convicted of a misdemeanor can result in jail time but more often leads to fines or community service. A single year of jail time is usually the maximum penalty for a misdemeanor case.
As these charges are less serious in nature, a defense lawyer usually costs much less. The average cost for misdemeanor representation ranges from $2,500 to $8,000.
Domestic Abuse Defense Costs
Typically, defense for domestic abuse costs between $3,000 to $15,000, although this varies greatly depending on the severity of the abuse, the vulnerability of the victims, and the details of the case.
Domestic abuse is usually defined as an effort by one partner in an intimate relationship to exert control over the other partner. There are several categories of domestic abuse, including physical, psychological, economic, emotional, sexual, threats, cyber stalking, and harassment.
Potential victims include children, romantic and sexual partners, and other family members living in a communal setting.
Per Hour Versus Flat Rates
The costs discussed above are approximate, and attorneys will often give you an estimate per hour. If your case wraps up quickly, an hourly rate can work in your favor. However, a flat rate is a better option if your issue is highly complex and requires much time to resolve.
Why Cheap Is Not Always the Best
Defense attorneys are highly trained professionals. Their time is valuable, and their high defense costs may prompt you to go for the lowest bid. However, it is imperative to weigh your options and not immediately settle for the least expensive lawyer you find.
Some discount attorneys claim they charge less because they are highly efficient and can resolve your case faster. However, these lawyers often have huge caseloads to compensate for their reduced profit margin. This means they will likely have very little time to dedicate to your case, and their legal representation may not be the best.
Remember, criminal charges can have serious consequences, including a permanent criminal record, loss of employment, hefty fines, and even jail time. It’s therefore important not to compromise the quality of your representation in exchange for a lower price. Doing this could put your entire future into the hands of a mediocre defense lawyer.
Choose an attorney that charges a reasonable rate and is dedicated to your case–you want someone who always has your best interest at heart.
If you’re not sure where you can find a dedicated lawyer, be sure to check out our post on how to find a criminal defense lawyer.