Criminal Defense Cost Calculator
Attorney fees from case type and complexity.
Legal Disclaimer
This calculator provides general estimates only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws, regulations, and court procedures vary significantly by jurisdiction. Consult a licensed attorney in your area for advice specific to your situation.
Inputs
Results
Total Estimated Cost
$6,250.00
≈ 6 smartphones
How to Use This Calculator
- Select Case Type: misdemeanor, felony, or federal charge.
- Set Case Complexity and Attorney Tier (public defender, mid-range, or top-tier private counsel).
- Indicate whether Trial is Expected and Expert Witnesses are needed.
- Set Jurisdiction Cost Index for your region — major metro areas cost more than rural jurisdictions.
- Review Total Estimated Cost including attorney fees, investigation, and expert witnesses.
- Get multiple quotes from attorneys — fees vary widely even for similar cases.
How the result changes with Jurisdiction Cost Index
| Jurisdiction Cost Index | Total Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| 0.65 | $4,238.00 |
| 1.02 | $6,365.00 |
| 1.48 | $9,010.00 |
| 1.85 | $11,138.00 |
What each input means
- Case Type
- 0=DUI/DWI, 1=Drug possession, 2=Assault, 3=Theft/fraud, 4=Domestic violence, 5=Sex offense, 6=Homicide, 7=White collar/federal.
- Case Complexity
- 0=Simple (straightforward facts), 1=Moderate, 2=Complex (multiple charges, witnesses), 3=Highly complex (expert testimony, extensive discovery).
- Attorney Tier
- 0=Public defender (free, income-qualified), 1=Solo practitioner, 2=Mid-size firm, 3=Large/prestigious firm.
- Trial Expected
- 0=Plea bargain expected, 1=Trial likely (significantly increases costs).
- Expert Witnesses Needed
- Number of expert witnesses (forensic, medical, psychological, etc.).
- Jurisdiction Cost Index
- Cost-of-living adjustment: 0.5=rural/low cost, 1.0=national average, 1.5=major city, 2.0=NYC/SF.
What each result means
- Total Estimated Cost
- Total estimated legal defense cost including all fees and expenses.
- Attorney Fees
- Estimated attorney fees based on case type, complexity, and billing tier.
- Expert Witness Costs
- Total expert witness fees (testimony, reports, preparation).
- Investigation Costs
- Private investigator, evidence review, and research costs.
- Court Costs & Filing Fees
- Court filing fees, transcript costs, and administrative charges.
- Estimated Attorney Hours
- Approximate billable hours for the case.
- Public Defender Income Limit
- Maximum annual income to qualify for a public defender (125% of federal poverty level, individual).
How this is calculated
Worked example, using the default values
- Identify Input Parameters4 parametersCase Type = 0, Case Complexity = 1, Attorney Tier = 1, Trial Expected = 0 = 6 input(s) provided
- Calculate Total Estimated CostTotal Estimated Cost6250 = $6,250
- Calculate Attorney FeesAttorney Fees5000 = $5,000
- Calculate Expert Witness CostsExpert Witness Costs0 = $0
Engine last updated .
Related Calculators
The questions that sit next to this one — chosen by subject, including calculators filed under a different category.
Immigration Legal Cost Calculator
Estimate immigration attorney fees by petition type and case complexity.
Criminal LawExpungement Eligibility Calculator
State-specific eligibility from offense type and time served.
Criminal LawRecord Sealing Calculator
Eligibility and cost for criminal record sealing.
Estate PlanningPower of Attorney Cost Calculator
Estimate legal fees for drafting power of attorney documents.
HR & PayrollBillable Hours Calculator
Track billable vs non-billable hours and calculate weekly, monthly, and annual revenue. Optimize your billing rate.
More in Legal & Professional.