How Much Does a Criminal Defense Lawyer Cost in NYC?

Last Updated on: 29th November 2025, 03:03 pm

The Real Numbers Nobody Tells You

You just got that phone call—the one that changes everything. Someone you love was arrested, or maybe your the one sitting in that holding cell right now. Your mind is racing a million miles and hour and one question keeps coming back: how much is this gonna cost me? Will I loose everything I worked for?

Look, I get it. The fear of financial ruin piled on top of criminal charges—its overwhelming. You start googling “criminal defense lawyer cost” and your seeing ranges from $2,000 to $200,000 and thinking what the hell does that even mean for my situation? The truth is, most articles out their give you national averages that don’t apply to New York City. They talk in generalities because they dont want to commit to real numbers.

We’re going to do something diffrent here. I’m gonna give you the actual NYC prices—not the watered down national data, but what lawyers in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx actually charge in 2025. We’ll cover the hidden costs nobody mentions, when public defenders actually make sense (the data might suprise you), and how to pay for representation when you can’t afford it. Because heres the thing—your freedom is worth fighting for, and you deserve to know exactly what your getting into before you sign anything.

What Criminal Defense Lawyers Actually Charge in New York City

Lets start with the numbers everyone wants to know. Criminal defense lawyers in NYC charge anywhere from $150 to $900+ per hour, but that range is so broad its basically useless. The typical range your actually going to see from competent attorneys is $250 to $700 per hour. The average? About $400 per hour—and heres something important: thats the median, not the premium. If someone quotes you $400/hour in Manhattan, their not overcharging you. Their right in the middle of the market.

Now, what determines where in that range you fall? Its complicated—actually, let me back up. Its not that complicated once you understand the factors. Experience is the big one, obviously. Location matters alot too. And the type of case your facing plays a huge roll.

Hourly Rates by Experience Level

Entry-level attorneys—we’re talking fresh out of law school, maybe 1-3 years experiance—typically charge between $150 and $250 per hour. These lawyers are building there practice and often take on more cases then they probably should. That doesnt mean their bad, but your definitely getting someone whose learning on the job to some degree.

Mid-career attorneys with 5-8 years under their belt charge around $275 to $400 per hour. This is were you start seeing lawyers who’ve handled hundreds of cases and really know the system. Many, many of these attorneys are excellent—they’ve seen enough to know what works and what dont.

Experienced attorneys—10+ years, strong track records, probably tried a bunch of cases—your looking at $350 to $500 per hour. Sometimes more. These are the lawyers who prosecutors know by name, who’ve built relationships with judges, who can often get things done that newer attorneys can’t.

Elite specialists—former federal prosecutors, attorneys who’ve handled high-profile cases, lawyers whose been on the news—charge $600 to $1,000+ per hour. These are the best of the best, and their rates reflect that. Is it worth it? Depends on your case. For a simple misdemeanor? Probly overkill. For a federal indictment with 20 years on the line? Maybe that’s exactly what you need.

Borough-by-Borough Pricing (This Could Save You 30%)

Heres something most articles wont tell you: where your attorney is located matters almost as much as there experience level. The Manhattan premium is real, many many clients don’t realize this.

• Manhattan: $350-$700+ per hour (highest in the city)
• Brooklyn/Queens: $275-$500 per hour
• Bronx/Staten Island: $250-$450 per hour

Think about it—if your case is in Brooklyn Criminal Court, why pay Manhattan rates? An attorney based in Brooklyn whose been practicing in that courthouse for 15 years knows the judges, knows the ADAs, knows the clerks. They might charge 25-30% less then a Manhattan attorney and have more relevant experience in your specific court. Regardless of what anyone tells you, geography matters here.

How Much Your Specific Case Will Cost

Enough with the hourly rates—lets talk about what your actually going to pay total. Because thats what really matters, right? You don’t care that its $400/hour, you care whether this is gonna cost you $5,000 or $50,000.

Misdemeanor Cases

Simple misdemeanors—petit larceny, minor assault, tresspassing, that kind of thing—typically run between $2,000 and $5,000 total. Alot of attorneys will do these on a flat fee because they know roughly how much work is involved. Maybe 3-4 court appearances, some negotiation with the DA, hopefully a favorable resolution.

DUI/DWI first offense is higher—usally $2,500 to $7,500. Why more expensive? Because theres more at stake and more work involved. You’ve got DMV hearings, potential license suspension, maybe mandatory programs. Its a whole thing. Repeat DUI offenses jump to $5,000 to $10,000+ because now your looking at real jail time and the stakes are much, much higher.

Probation violations—which alot of people underestimate—run about $2,000 to $3,500. Seems simple but can have serious consequenses if your looking at original sentence being imposed.

Felony Cases

This is were costs start climbing fast. Standard felony charges—burglary, robbery, drug posession with intent—your looking at $10,000 to $25,000 for representation through plea or trial. Thats a big range, I know. Alot depends on the complexity of your case, how much evidence their is, whether their are codefendants, all that stuff.

Drug distribution cases get expensive quick—$15,000 to $100,000+. Why so high? Because these cases often involve wiretaps, extensive discovery, multiple defendants, potential federal involvement. Its not unusual for drug cases to stretch on for a year or more with dozens of court appearances.

Assault and violent crime charges typically fall between $15,000 and $50,000. Domestic violence cases can range from $3,500 for misdemeanor DV up to $15,000+ for felony assault charges with orders of protection and all the complications that come with them.

Federal Cases (Where Things Get Really Expensive)

Federal charges are a whole diffrent animal. The federal system moves slower, the penalties are harsher, and the prosecutors have basically unlimited resources. Federal misdemeanors—which are rare, but they exist—cost $10,000 to $30,000.

Federal felonies? Your looking at $25,000 to $75,000+ just to get adequate representation. Complex white collar cases—fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, RICO—can easily exceed $100,000 to $250,000. I’ve seen cases where legal fees hit half a million. Its terrifying, but thats the reality of federal court.

The Trial Multiplier (The Cost Nobody Mentions)

Here’s what really kills people financially—and I mean this literally ruins people—the difference between pleading out and going to trial. All those numbers I just gave you? Those assume your case pleads out. If you go to trial, multiply by 3 to 5 times.

Lets do the math real quick. A felony case that might cost $15,000 to resolve with a plea? Going to trial could cost $50,000 to $150,000. Why? Because each trial day is 8+ billable hours. At $400/hour, thats $3,200 per day just in court time. Jury selection alone takes 1-3 days. The average trial runs 3-7 days. Then theres all the prep work—motion practice, witness preperation, trial strategy, document review. An attorney might spend 50-100 hours preparing for trial before it even starts.

I’m not saying don’t go to trial if you need to. Sometimes trial is absolutely the right call. But you need to understand the financial implications before you make that decision. Ask your attorney early: “What’s the liklihood this goes to trial, and what would that cost?”

Hourly vs Flat Fee vs Retainer: Which Is Best for You?

OK so now you understand the ranges, but how do these fees actually work? This is were people get confused—and honestly, its were alot of people get taken advantage of. Let me break down each structure so you know exactly what your agreeing too.

The Retainer Trap (Please Read This Carefully)

Most criminal defense attorneys work on a retainer basis, and most clients dont understand what that actually means. Heres the thing—a retainer is NOT your total cost. Its a deposit. Its an amount you put down that the attorney draws from as they work on your case.

Example: Attorney quotes you a $5,000 retainer at $400/hour. Sounds reasonable, right? But do the math: $5,000 divided by $400 equals 12.5 hours of work. Thats maybe 2-3 court appearances, some phone calls, reviewing discovery, drafting one motion. Your retainer is gone in maybe 2 months.

Then what happens? You have to replenish. The attorney might say they need another $3,000 or $5,000 to continue. This cycle can repeat multiple times. That $5,000 retainer on a felony case? The total bill might end up being $20,000 to $40,000.

The question you MUST ask before signing anything: “What is your estimate for TOTAL fees, not just the retainer?” Any good attorney should be able to give you a range based on there experience with similar cases. If they wont give you an estimate, thats a red flag.

When to Choose Flat Fee

Flat fees are exactly what they sound like—one price for the whole case. Attorney says $5,000 flat, thats what you pay regardless of how many hours they put in. This is great for budget certainty, and its common for cases with predictable outcomes.

Good candidates for flat fee:

• Simple misdemeanors
• DUI/DWI cases (established process)
• Cases likely to plea quickly
• When you need to know exactly what your spending

The trap with flat fees though? Some attorneys lowball the flat fee and then do minimal work. A $3,000 attorney who spends 5 hours on your case is giving you alot less then a $6,000 attorney who spends 30 hours. Always ask: “How many hours do you typically spend on a case like mine?” That tells you alot about what your actually getting.

When Hourly Might Be Better

Sometimes hourly makes more sense then flat fee. Sounds counterintuitive, but hear me out. If your case has a strong chance of dismissal or quick resolution, you might pay less hourly then you would flat fee. The flat fee prices in the possibility of extended work—if that work never happens, you overpaid.

Hourly can also work if you can negotiate a fee cap. “I’ll pay $400/hour with a cap of $15,000″—that gives you some protection while still letting the attorney bill for actual work done.

The Extra $10,000-$50,000 Nobody Tells You About

Alright look, this section is gonna be hard to read. But you need to know this because almost no one talks about it. Your attorney’s fee is often just the begining of what you’ll spend. Many, many cases require additional expenses that can double or even triple your total costs.

Expert Witness Costs

If your case involves technical evidence—forensics, financial records, medical issues, psychology—your probly going to need expert witnesses. And experts are expensive.

• Standard expert: $200-$500/hour
• Specialized expert: $500-$1,500/hour
• Forensic accountant: $300-$500/hour
• DNA specialist: $400-$600/hour
• Medical expert: $500-$1,000/hour
• Psychologist/psychiatrist: $300-$500/hour

And heres the thing—experts don’t just show up and testify. They review documents, prepare reports, meet with attorneys, maybe visit crime scenes. A forensic expert might bill 20-40 hours before ever setting foot in a courtroom. At $500/hour, thats $10,000-$20,000 for one expert. Some cases need multiple experts.

Investigation Costs

Private investigators aren’t cheap either. Your looking at $75-$200/hour depending on what their doing. Surveilence work, locating witnesses, background research, evidence gathering—it all adds up. An investigation that takes 40 hours costs $3,000-$8,000 on top of everything else.

Why would you need a private investigator? Maybe the prosecution’s version of events doesn’t add up. Maybe theres witnesses they didn’t bother to interview. Maybe theres security footage that could help your case but noone went looking for it. The police investigate to build a case against you—someone needs to investigate to build a case FOR you.

Court and Administrative Fees

Then theres all the nickel and dime stuff that adds up: filing fees, document processing, transcript costs if you need them for motions or appeals. None of these individually are huge, but they can total $500-$2,000 over the course of a case.

Real Example: What a Case Actually Costs

Let me give you a real-world example. Drug case, felony possession with intent, relatively straightforward facts but prosecution had alot of evidence from wiretaps.

• Attorney fees: $15,000
• Private investigator: $3,000
• Forensic expert (phone records): $8,000
• Court fees and transcripts: $500
• ACTUAL TOTAL: $26,500

Thats nearly double what the client budgeted when they heard “$15,000 for representation.” The question you absolutley must ask before signing any fee agreement: “Does your fee include expert witnesses and investigators, or are those additional?”

Should You Use a Public Defender? The Data Will Suprise You

OK so your reading all these numbers and thinking—I cant afford any of this. What about a public defender? Isn’t that, like, admiting defeat? Settling for less?

I’m about to tell you something that might shock you. The data on public defenders is way better then most people think. And no, I’m not just saying that.

The 80% Rule

First off, lets normalize this: 80 to 90 percent of all criminal defendants in New York City use public defenders. You are not unusual. You are not a failure. You are the overwhelming majority. The city spends $528 million dollars annually on public defense for a reason—because thats what almost everyone needs.

NYC Public Defender Organizations

If you qualify for a public defender (which basically means you can’t afford private counsel), you’ll be represented by one of several organizations:

• The Legal Aid Society: 650+ lawyers, handles 220,000 cases per year, operates in all 5 boroughs
• Brooklyn Defender Services: Covers Brooklyn courts
• The Bronx Defenders: Handles nearly 20,000 cases per year
• New York County Defender Services: Covers Manhattan courts

If someone you know was just arrested and you need immediate help—before arraignment even—call 1-833-3-GOODCALL (1-833-346-6322). Its a free 24/7 hotline that connects you to a lawyer right away.

The Outcome Data (This Will Shock You)

Here’s were it gets intresting. Conventional wisdom says private attorneys get better results. But what does the data actually show?

Conviction rates are nearly identical: 75% for defendants with public defenders versus 77% for defendants with private attorneys. Thats according to Bureau of Justice Statistics data. Basicly no difference.

It gets better. A Philadelphia study of 3,173 murder trials found that representation by a public defender reduced the likelihood of a guilty verdict by 19%. Public defenders actually outperformed private attorneys in murder cases.

Federal court is even more suprising. A 2025 RAND Corporation study found that federal public defenders achieve sentences 4-8% shorter then private attorneys. Shorter sentences! From the free lawyers!

Why? Because federal public defenders handle thousands of cases in federal court every year. They know the judges personally. They know the prosecutors. They know exactly how the system works. A private attorney who does mostly state work and occasionally takes a federal case is actually at a disadvantage.

When Public Defender Makes Sense

• Federal charges (they genuinely might be better)
• Simple cases with clear outcomes
• When you truly can’t afford private counsel without financial ruin
• When the private attorneys you can afford aren’t specialized in your charge type

When Private Attorney Makes Sense

• Complex cases needing extensive investigation
• When you want to choose your specific attorney
• High-stakes cases requiring undivided attention
• When you can afford it without destroying your finances

Bottom line: don’t assume public defender means worse outcome. Look at the actual data. In some situations, especially federal court, public defenders have a track record that many private attorneys cant match.

How to Afford a Criminal Defense Lawyer When You Cant Afford One

So maybe your not eligable for a public defender—you make too much money on paper, even if you don’t feel wealthy—but you also don’t have $25,000 sitting in savings. What do you do?

More options exist then you probably realize. Attorneys want to get paid, sure, but they also want clients. Alot of them will work with you on payment.

Payment Plans (97% Approval Rate)

First thing to know: most criminal defense attorneys offer payment plans. You don’t have to pay everything upfront. Many, many people don’t realize this and assume they cant afford representation when they actually can.

Even better, their are financing companies that specialize in legal fees:

• Credee: 97% approval rate, no credit check required
• Denefits: 95% approval rate, also no credit check

Read that again. Ninety-seven percent approval with no credit check. If you’ve been denied for credit cards or loans, this is diffrent. These companies exist specifically to help people pay for legal representation, and they approve almost everyone.

Flat Fee Installments

With flat fee arrangements, many attorneys will accept 50% down with monthly payments on the rest. So a $6,000 flat fee might be $3,000 now and $500/month for 6 months. That’s alot more manageable then “give us $6,000 right now.”

The key is to negotiate BEFORE you sign anything. Once you’ve already committed, you have less leverage. Ask about payment options during your consultation, not after.

Negotiation Tactics That Actually Work

When your shopping for attorneys—and yes, you should be shopping—here’s what to do:

1. Get consultations from at least 3 attorneys (most offer free consultations)
2. Ask about payment plans BEFORE discussing your case in detail
3. Request flat fee instead of hourly if your case seems straightforward
4. Ask if they work with financing companies
5. Be honest about your budget limitations—attorneys would rather work with you then lose the case to another firm

The First 48 Hours Premium (This Will Save You Money)

Heres something nobody talks about: hiring during a crisis costs 10-20% more then hiring proactively.

Why? When you call an attorney at 2am because your spouse was just arrested, they have to clear thier schedule, maybe cancel other commitments, show up for an emergency arraignment on short notice. That costs more. Your also in panic mode, less likely to comparison shop, more likely to just say yes to whoever answers the phone.

If you know charges are coming—maybe your under investigation, maybe you got a target letter, maybe something happened and you know the police will eventualy come—hire an attorney NOW while you have time. You’ll get better representation for less money because you can take your time choosing the right person.

How to Know If Your Getting Ripped Off

By now you’ve got a pretty good sense of the NYC market. But how do you evaluate a specific quote? How do you know if the number their throwing at you is fair or if your being taken advantage of?

The $400/Hour Question

One of the most common questions I hear: “Is $400 an hour alot for a lawyer?”

In NYC, the answer is no. $400/hour is the median rate. Its right in the middle of the market. Entry-level attorneys charge less ($150-$250), elite attorneys charge more ($600-$1,000+), but $400 is perfectly average for an experienced criminal defense attorney in New York City.

If someone quotes you $400/hour and you think “wow thats expensive”—its actually not. Your paying market rate. If anything, be suspicious of attorneys charging significantly less without a clear explanation why.

Red Flags (Too Cheap)

Warning signs that an attorney might be underpriced:

• Under $200/hour in Manhattan with no explanation
• Flat fees that seem way below market ($1,500 for a felony?)
• No retainer required at all
• Wont provide a written fee agreement
• Promises specific outcomes (“I guarantee dismissal”)

Cheap can mean inexperienced. Cheap can mean overworked. Cheap can mean cutting corners. Sometimes cheap is just cheap because thier trying to build a practice, and thats fine. But know what your getting.

Red Flags (Too Expensive)

Warning signs that an attorney might be overcharging:

• $700+/hour without exceptional credentials
• Non-refundable retainer (most retainers are refundable for unearned fees)
• Wont give you an estimate of total cost
• High-pressure sales tactics (“sign today or I cant help you”)
• Vague about what services are included

Questions to Ask Every Attorney

Before you sign anything, get answers to these questions:

1. “What is your hourly rate?”
2. “What is your estimate for TOTAL fees on my case?”
3. “Are expert witnesses and investigators included, or additional?”
4. “Do you offer payment plans?”
5. “How many hours do you typically spend on cases like mine?”
6. “What happens if my retainer runs out?”
7. “Is any portion of the retainer refundable?”

Any attorney who gets annoyed by these questions or wont give you straight answers? Walk away. Good attorneys understand that your making a major financial decision and deserve clear information.

The Bottom Line on Criminal Defense Costs in NYC

Alright, lets wrap this up. You’ve got alot of information now—probly more then any other article you’ve read on this topic. Heres what it all comes down to:

NYC hourly rates: $150-$900+/hour, with $400/hour being average

Total costs: $2,000-$5,000 for misdemeanors, $10,000-$25,000+ for felonies, $25,000-$75,000+ for federal

The trial multiplier: Going to trial can cost 3-5x more then pleading out

Hidden costs: Expert witnesses and investigators can add $10,000-$50,000+

Public defenders: Conviction rates are nearly identical to private attorneys, and in federal court they might actually be better

Payment plans: 97% approval rate with no credit check—most people can afford private counsel if they know to ask

Timing matters: Hiring before arrest saves 10-20% compared to emergency situations

Look, facing criminal charges is terrifying. The financial stress on top of everything else can feel impossible. But your not alone in this—80-90% of defendants use public defenders, and thats OK. If you can afford private counsel without destroying your life, great. If you cant, the public defender system in NYC is better then its reputation.

What matters most is that you don’t face this alone. Get help. Ask questions. Understand your options. And whatever you do, don’t make decisions out of fear or shame. Make them based on information.

If your facing charges right now, don’t wait. Call today. Most attorneys offer free consultations and are availible 24/7. Get the information you need to make the best decision for your situation.

(212) 300-5196

We’re here. Call now.