How Much?
Q - How Much Does Legal Defense Cost?
A - One of the first questions most clients have when facing criminal charges is how much their defense will cost. The answer depends on the facts of your case and the quality of your criminal defense lawyer. Usually, a criminal defense attorney, like local criminal defense attorney Fred Gagliardini, will be able to quote you a fee after an initial consultation.
Q – Should I price shop for an attorney?
A - As with any service, you get what you pay for. DO NOT trust any lawyer who promises you what will happen. It is a violation of attorney professional ethics to guarantee or promise ANY outcome or result in California. Beware of any attorney that offers to take your case for an unusually low fee. Worse yet, the attorney may be unqualified to properly handle your case.
The end result of your case will typically affect the rest of your life. If you find an attorney who will take your case for $10,000 less than another attorney, but the result is 5 years in prison, did you really save money? How much is five years of your life worth to you? How do you think that criminal record will affect your ability to find good employment for the rest of your life?
Shopping for an attorney is not like shopping for a new coat or a car. In most cases, you cannot "return" an attorney if he or she does not work out for you. The most important decision in selecting an attorney is the quality of the defense you get. You are paying to get results and that’s why you should call local Bakersfield Criminal Attorney, Fred Gagliardini, at 755.5757.
Q - Is the price fixed, or could it increase as the case progresses?
A - Beware of legal contracts that charge on a "pay as you go" basis for a Misdemeanor. However, for a Felony, because there are multiple “stages” in the process, a “pay as you go” agreement is common. I’m confident of my abilities and I will give you a fixed price up front for either a Misdemeanor or for each stage of our Felony case. Please call me, Fred Gagliardini, your local Bakersfield Criminal Lawyer.
Q - Is a trial included in the price?
A - An attorney might appear to be inexpensive by offering you a very low fee with the stipulation that court time costs extra. The problem with this approach is that most of the work needed to get a good trial outcome occurs before the trial begins. Good trial preparation often results in a settlement or even the dropping of charges before the case goes to court. Skipping trial preparation in order to save money might actually cost you dearly in the end in the form of higher legal fees and a worse case result.
Q - Are there hidden costs?
A – Experts, private investigators, and process serving fees are usually the only fees in addition to the attorney fees. I will provide you with a full disclosure of all possible costs and legal fees and discuss the potential need for any of these services. While it is not always possible to predict the additional costs that might arise in trial preparation, a good rule of thumb is to estimate about 10% of your legal fees for these outside costs if they are needed.
Q – Who should I call?
A – Call local Bakersfield Criminal Attorney Fred Gagliardini at 755.5757