In Miami-Dade, I handle most criminal defense cases on a flat fee, broken into phases: pretrial, plea negotiation, and trial, if it gets that far. That way you know the cost of each phase before it starts, rather than watching an hourly clock run during a stressful period. For civil litigation I bill hourly generally, though certain phases can still be quoted flat.
Frequently Asked Questions
What drives the price of a criminal defense lawyer in Miami?
The type of charge drives the price most. A misdemeanor with clean, undisputed facts costs less to defend than a felony involving multiple witnesses, expert testimony, or extensive digital evidence. Whether a case resolves early or goes the distance to trial also affects my estimate, since trial preparation is where the bulk of the work happens.
Are there costs beyond the lawyer’s fee?
My fee is not always the whole cost. Depending on the case, there can be court costs, fees for obtaining records, deposition costs, or expert witness fees if the defense requires outside testimony. I go over upfront which of these might apply to your matter, so the total picture is clear before you commit, not after.
Is the cheapest quote always the best deal?
A lawyer with a large caseload and a low flat fee is pricing based on volume, not on the time your case needs. That can mean less preparation, less direct contact, and a worse negotiating position with the prosecution, which sometimes costs more in the long run through a worse outcome or a case that drags out longer than it needed to.
What about using a public defender instead?
Public defenders are free if you qualify financially, and they are licensed, capable attorneys. The real tradeoff is caseload: a public defender in Miami-Dade may be managing dozens of active cases at once, which limits how much individual time any one case receives before a hearing.
What should I do before committing to a lawyer?
Get the fee structure in writing, and ask what’s included in the quoted amount and what would trigger an additional cost, such as the case going to trial when it was quoted as a plea-focused matter. A clear written agreement prevents surprises later. My post on what to ask before you hire a criminal defense lawyer covers the rest of that conversation. If you are still deciding whether to call, my answers on calling a lawyer and asking a question for free explain what a free consultation covers.
How are fees structured across different practice areas?
Criminal cases are flat fee, structured in phases, so the cost is predictable from the start. Personal injury I handle on contingency, meaning no fee unless there’s a recovery. Civil litigation runs hourly, with some phases available at a flat rate. I go over the fee and what it covers openly at the first consultation, which is free. See my full Miami Criminal Defense page for how I handle cases from the first call through resolution.