Legal fees
for the defense of criminal cases are usually
presented as "flat fees", i.e., a specified fee for
specific court procedures/hearings or the defense of
different criminal offenses. The fee covers the law
firm's charge for the legal services provided.
Costs, expenses, expert consultation, private
investigation, etc., are additional charges to the
client.
Deering & Associates provides financing for those
who need credit for legal fees.
Typically, our attorney fees to handle a criminal
defense matter will consist of a pre-trial fee and a
trial fee as further explained below. We separate
out the pre-trial and trial components due to the
fact that not all cases proceed to trial. It is our
belief that a client should not be charged for
representation at trial if such representation is
unnecessary.
Pre-trial Fee
The pre-trial fee is the charge for legal services
provided prior to the trial of a criminal case
including the retainer. The retainer must be paid at
the time the law firm is engaged to provide legal
services. The retainer is a portion of the pre-trial
fee.
This pre-trial fee covers all pre-trial hearings
inclusive of bond and preliminary hearings, motion
hearings, investigation of the case, interviewing of
witnesses and preparation for trial. It also
includes the negotiation of a plea, if one is
desired.
For clients who are employed and have a source of
income, we are able to finance the legal
representation by accepting an initial retainer and
arranging for monthly payments to be made. Interest
is charged to the client when a monthly payment
schedule is in effect. All fees must be paid in full
prior to the disposition of the client's case.
Trial Fee
The trial fee is due at the time of the court's
trial calendar call or upon the client's
representation that he wishes to proceed to trial.
The trial fee must be paid in full prior to the
trial of the case.
Fees for Bond Hearings
The charge for legal services provided in obtaining,
preparing for and conducting a hearing for setting
bond or obtaining a reduction of bond is included in
the pre-trial fee. However, for clients who desire
representation only at a bond hearing, a flat fee is
charged which must be paid in full prior to any
representation.
Fees for Preliminary or Probable Cause Hearings
The charge for legal services provided at a hearing
to determine if probable cause exists for the arrest
of a client is included in the pre-trial fee.
However, for clients who desire representation only
at a preliminary or probable cause hearing, a flat
fee is charged which must be paid in full prior to
any representation.
Fees for DPS Hearings
For DUI clients in need of legal representation
before the Department of Public Safety, the charge
to appear before the Department regarding driver
license suspension is included in the pre-trial fee.
Fees for Probation Revocation Hearings
We charge a flat fee for legal services provided to
investigate, prepare for and conduct revocation
hearings. The fee includes preparation of the
petition to recall warrant and petition for
immediate hearing. The fee must be paid in full
prior to any representation.
Misdemeanor Fees vs. Felony Fees
Because a misdemeanor is a less serious offense than
a felony, the legal fees to represent a client for a
misdemeanor are less than if a client is charged
with a felony. Please call our office to obtain a
fee quote for your particular situation.
The following is a partial listing of criminal
offences that are designated as either misdemeanors
or felonies. This is not intended to be an
all-inclusive list:
Misdemeanors
Theft (shoplifting), assault, battery,
domestic violence, DUI, traffic
violations, loitering, solicitation,
possession of marijuana, criminal
trespass, obstruction, false statement
to law enforcement, sexual battery,
public exposure, and criminal damage to
property.
Felonies
Theft (including RICO, white-collar
theft, financial transaction card fraud,
forgery, insurance fraud, false filing),
crimes of violence (murder, aggravated
assault, aggravated battery, vehicular
homicide, domestic violence, terroristic
threats, aggravated stalking,
kidnapping, road rage), DUI (habitual
violator), drug cases (possession,
possession with intent to distribute,
sale, and trafficking), violation of
oath of office by government official,
perjury, arson, sex crimes (rape,
aggravated sexual battery, aggravated
sodomy, aggravated child molestation,
possession/distribution of obscene
material and or child pornography). |
All clients receive:
• contracts explaining the legal representation
• a portfolio containing vital information for their
use in maintaining their important legal papers.
• a quarterly newsletter containing valuable legal
information.
Please contact our office for a fee quote applicable
to your particular situation. You may call us during
normal business hours at 404.659.6161 or email us at
Info@DeeringLaw.com. We accept payment via
cash, check, money order, Visa, MasterCard, American
Express, and Discover Card.
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