Educational cost ranges for criminal defense conversations

Understand retainers, hourly billing, and flat fees before you sit down with counsel. Not a law firm. Not a live quote.

Educational ranges only — not a bid, quote, or professional opinion.

Different offices, different caseloads, same ethical duties.

How the two common billing structures actually get spent.

The first meeting is intake, not a finished strategy memo.

From the blog

Scope, trial experience on this charge type, and who actually appears in court.

Photos, locations, and jokes become exhibits.

Police reports are the start, not the whole file.