Criminal Defense in Waldorf, MD: How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Maryland Criminal Defense Law Firm?

Many Maryland residents who are arrested think they cannot afford a criminal defense attorney. Yes, it is true that the cost of hiring a criminal defense Law Firm can be high. But, the cost is well worth it if the criminal defense prevents or lessens potential jail time. The cost of hiring criminal defense attorneys in Maryland depends on the type, severity, and the number of charges, and on complicating factors such as the criminal defendant’s criminal record. In Maryland, the defense of repeat offenders is legally more complex. The more complex the case, the higher the cost.

Do I Really Need a Lawyer?

Yes, you do. You want to stay out of jail, and you want to avoid any convictions on your criminal record. These goals may cost you in the short term but will pay handsomely in the long term as your clean criminal record opens jobs and careers that otherwise would have been closed. If you have been arrested here in Waldorf, Maryland, or in surrounding Southern Maryland communities, call us here at the Law Office of Robert Castro at (301) 705-5137. We can give you an estimate of the legal fees you can expect.

Types of pay arrangements

In Maryland, a flat fee arrangement is a common payment arrangement for criminal defense lawyers (although not every criminal defense lawyer will agree to a flat fee for every kind of case). This generally involves payment of a lump sum at the beginning of the criminal defense (or in monthly installment payments as the case proceeds). Often, the flat fee does not include any legal services for an appeal and can be limited to specific segments of the case (such as everything up to but not including the trial). Here are some examples and cost ranges:

• DUI/DWI first offense case — flat fees can range from $1,500 to $3,000 for first-time offenders; the range depends on many factors including the recorded blood alcohol level
• DUI/DWI second office — the range is $2,500 to $7,500
• Traffic tickets — among the least severe charges; fee range is between $300 and $750
• Burglary charges (and other felonies) — all Maryland burglary charges are felonies and, thus, the legal costs are higher; for a charge of first-degree burglary, the fees will range from $10,000 to $20,000; the legal costs will increase for higher degrees of burglary charged

Note that legal fees for criminal defense of criminal charges in federal court will be significantly higher.

Further, certain types of criminal charges will necessitate an hourly billing arrangement. Examples of such cases might be an embezzlement charge or other types of financial crime. The reason is that these types of criminal charges require the extensive use of expert investigators and witnesses. The hourly rates for the experts will be expensive, and extensive attorney time is required to provide the necessary information and utilize the results. A typical Maryland criminal defense attorney charges between $300 and $900 an hour for criminal defense services.

Contact Waldorf, Maryland Criminal Defense Lawyer Robert Castro Today

This article has been provided by the Law Office of Robert Castro. For more information or questions, contact our office to speak to an experienced Maryland criminal defense lawyer at (301) 705-5137. We are Waldorf, MD, Criminal Defense lawyers. Our address is 2670 Crain Highway, Waldorf, MD, 20601.