What should I expect to pay for a good defense lawyer?

After you’ve been charged with a crime and hire a lawyer, you will likely have questions about how much it will cost to defend your case. At Brown, Bradshaw & Moffat, we will do everything we can to ensure you receive professional representation at a fair rate. Here are a few common questions you may have about paying for your legal defense and how we handle payments at our office.

What happens first?

The first thing we do with a new client is set up a representation agreement that you must sign and agree to. Among other things, the agreement will outline the following:

• How your fees will be computed
• The billing rate for the lawyer representing your case
• Details about when you will be invoiced
• Interest rate for outstanding balances
• The dollar amount required for an initial deposit into a retainer
• The minimum dollar amount your retainer must stay above
• What happens if you fail to follow the agreement

What is the billing rate?

Generally, our fees for legal services will be computed on an hourly basis. The billing rates of paralegals and attorneys in the firm range from $80 to $400 per hour. However, in some cases we offer a flat fee rate where you pay up front and that amount will cover all your representation.

What is a retainer?

Retainers are a lump sum of money we require you to pay up front. We deposit your retainer into the firm’s trust account and use that money first to cover your regular billings.

How much money do I need for a retainer?

The amount required for a retainer depends on the crime you’ve been charged with. Generally, the more serious the crime, the more we require for the retainer.

What happens to money leftover in the retainer?

Any unused amounts will be returned to you after we’ve worked through all pending matters on your case.

What if I can’t make a payment?

If the amount in your retainer drops below the minimum amount designated in your representation agreement, you will be invoiced for the difference. You have 30 days after you receive an invoice to make a payment. If you still have a balance after 30 days, you will be charged interest on the outstanding amount.

We promise to work hard to make sure you get the most efficient and cost-effective rate based on the needs of your case. Additionally, we strive to avoid misunderstandings about fees, so we welcome any and all questions you may have.

Give us a call at (801) 532-5297 to talk through all your questions about the payment process.