If you have been arrested for a crime that you may or may not have committed, you require the assistance of a professional criminal defense lawyer to get out on bail and reduce the charges against you. When it comes to hiring an attorney in Hackensack, many people get apprehensive about the high fees of the best lawyers. No doubt, hiring a highly experienced and reputed lawyer will mean spending a good amount of money. But, that will also ensure freedom, justice and less time in suffering.
Trying to save a few dollars by hiring an inexperienced lawyer can cost you not only more money but also mental peace. In this article, we will tell you how much hiring a Hackensack criminal defense lawyer may cost you.
Factors That Affect the Fees
When it comes to the bill you pay for the lawyer, there are many factors that may influence the final amount. These include your lawyer’s billing preference (flat fee or an hourly rate), billing rate, and additional charges. The billing format the lawyer prefers can have a huge impact on the total legal bill. For example, if you choose a criminal lawyer that charges by hour, you may end up paying more if the case takes longer to complete.
Flat fee is another preferred method of legal billing and many attorneys prefer this over the hour rate. In this case, the lawyer asks for one flat fee for his legal services. Although this may sound like a better option, there are sometimes extra charges that he may not be included in the flat fee and they might disclose them later.
Hence, it is advisable that you talk to lawyer before hiring him to find out what is included in the flat fees and whether there will be any additional expenses.
Additional Expenses Involved
When you avail the services of a criminal lawyer in Hackensack to fight a case for you, there may be many additional expenses involved. Whether you lawyer prefers a flat fee or hourly rate, make sure you ask them if any of the following additional expenses are involved:
- Photocopying: The lawyer would need photocopies of several important documents to present in the court room and use them as evidences to plead guilty.
- An investigator service: Your attorney may need to hire an investigator to further probe into the case and provide useful evidences that can work in your favor and prepare a strong case.
- A paralegals: The attorney may need an assistant or paralegal to assist him in the case, and the fees of a paralegal may or may not be included in the flat fee, so make sure to ask about this beforehand.
- An expert witness charges: You may need an expert witness to speak on your favor and help you prove yourself right. You may have to offer travel expense to the witness and even provide security and police protection in some cases.
- Travel-related expenses for the lawyer to travel to different places to find evidences and talk to witnesses, as needed for the case.
Conclusion
When you are already arrested by the police, you may not have much time for negotiation. At this point, it is important to look for a lawyer that can create a strong case in your favor. However, don’t hurry into hiring a lawyer without much thought.
If you are already arrested for a crime you are charged with, you may not find much time to negotiate. This is when it is highly important to find a lawyer who can make a strong case to protect your interests. However, make sure you don’t hire an attorney in haste. Start by looking online to learn more about different lawyers, read the reviews posted by existing clients, and ask the lawyer about their fees.
You can also enquire if there is a chance for negotiation and whether there are any extra expenses involved. This will help you get a clear idea of how much you need to spend on hiring a Hackensack criminal defense lawyer.