Fees

Virginia Criminal Defense Attorney Fees: Transparent, Flat-Fee Pricing

Facing a criminal charge is stressful enough without wondering what it’s going to cost. We believe you deserve a clear answer before you ever pick up the phone — not a runaround, and not a number that doubles once you’re in the room.

Below, you’ll find what our cases typically cost, what affects that number, and exactly what’s included in your fee. If you don’t see your situation covered, call us at (571) 554-5977 — we offer a free consultation and can usually give you a specific range for your case in that first call.

Misdemeanor Cases Typically Start At
$3,500+
DUI Cases Typically Start At
$5,000+
Felony Cases Typically Start At
$6,000+

What Affects Your Criminal Defense Fee

No two cases cost the same, because no two cases are the same. The final fee for your case depends on:

  • The charge itself. A first-offense misdemeanor and a multi-count felony require very different amounts of attorney time.
  • Whether the case is contested or resolved early. Cases that resolve through negotiation typically cost less than those that go to trial.
  • Number of charges. Multiple charges arising from one incident, or multiple separate charges, increase the scope of work.
  • Which court the case is in. A case that is in Circuit Court or headed to Circuit Court will be more expensive than a case that is expected to resolve in the district court.  Further, certain jurisdictions in Virginia are more contentious than others.

 

We’ll always give you a specific, written fee quote before you commit to anything — never a vague estimate you have to chase down later.

Misdemeanor Defense Pricing

Misdemeanor cases typically start at $3,500.

This applies to charges like first-offense assault and battery, petit larceny, hit and run, and similar misdemeanor-level offenses.

DUI/DWI Defense Pricing

DUI and DWI cases typically start at $5,000.

DUI cases often involve more moving parts than a standard misdemeanor — critical review of breathalyzer and field sobriety test evidence, potential license suspension issues, and in some cases prior-offense enhancements.

Felony Defense Pricing

Felony cases typically start at $6,000.

Felony charges carry higher stakes and require more extensive investigation, discovery review, and trial preparation — which is reflected in the fee. Complex felony matters, such as sexual assaults, large drug distribution cases, homicides, multi-charge cases, or cases likely to go to trial will be significantly more.  These matters will be quoted individually based on scope.

What's Included in Your Flat Fee

We use flat-fee pricing for most cases so you’re not watched by a clock every time we talk.

Your flat fee typically includes:

  • Court Appearances
  • Negotiations with the Prosecutor
  • Attorney-Client Meetings
  • Meetings with Other Parties
  • Evidence Review
  • Case Strategy
  • Resolving the Matter without Trial/Preliminary Hearing

Typically billed separately:

  • Conducting a Trial or Preliminary Hearing
  • Expert Witnesses
  • Private Investigators
  • Appeal

Being upfront about this now means no surprises later — and it’s one of the reasons clients choose to work with us.

Payment Plans

We offer payment plans for qualified clients so cost isn’t the reason you go without representation on a serious charge.  Call (571) 554-5977 for details.

Why We're Upfront About Pricing

We’d rather you know what to expect before that first call — so when you do reach out, we can spend that time on your actual case.

How much does a criminal defense lawyer cost in Virginia?

Costs vary by charge type and complexity. At our firm, misdemeanor cases typically start at $3,500, DUI/DWI cases at $5,000, and felony cases at $6,000. We provide a specific, written quote after reviewing your case during a consultation.

For most criminal cases, we use flat-fee pricing, so you know your total cost upfront instead of being billed hourly as the case progresses.  We will explain this clearly to you during your consultation.

Yes, we offer payment plans for qualified clients.

  • Court Appearances
  • Negotiations with the Prosecutor
  • Attorney-Client Meetings
  • Meetings with Other Parties
  • Evidence Review
  • Case Strategy
  • Resolving the Matter without Trial/Preliminary Hearing

Felony charges carry more serious consequences and typically require more extensive investigation, discovery review, and preparation, which is reflected in the fee.

Yes.  If a client chooses to go to trial, there is an additional fee.  We inform our clients of what that additional fee will be before they hire us.

Most of our initial consultations are free.  However, an initial consultation differs from seeking advice for a particular legal situation.  That is not a service that we provide free of charge.

Sometimes.  We do take the jurisdiction into consideration for pricing.  However, we do not have a standard bright-line rule as pricing depends on a variety of factors, such as the nature of the case or how many court appearances may be required for a more distant jurisdiction.