Defends individuals accused of crimes from misdemeanors to felonies.
Cost Range: Criminal Defense lawyers charge from $206/hr in West Virginia to $464/hr in California. The national average is $298/hr.
| # | State | Avg Hourly Rate | Avg Case Cost | Cost Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | WV West Virginia | $206/hr | $18,595 | -33.50x |
| 2 | KY Kentucky | $215/hr | $19,543 | -30.60x |
| 3 | ND North Dakota | $224/hr | $20,211 | -27.70x |
| 4 | AL Alabama | $229/hr | $20,523 | -26.10x |
| 5 | AR Arkansas | $229/hr | $20,380 | -26.10x |
| 6 | MT Montana | $236/hr | $21,427 | -23.90x |
| 7 | LA Louisiana | $238/hr | $21,428 | -23.20x |
| 8 | MS Mississippi | $241/hr | $21,067 | -22.30x |
| 9 | TN Tennessee | $243/hr | $21,886 | -21.60x |
| 10 | OK Oklahoma | $244/hr | $21,609 | -21.30x |
| 11 | NM New Mexico | $254/hr | $22,512 | -18.10x |
| 12 | SD South Dakota | $255/hr | $22,374 | -17.70x |
| 13 | IA Iowa | $258/hr | $22,728 | -16.80x |
| 14 | NC North Carolina | $258/hr | $23,120 | -16.80x |
| 15 | OH Ohio | $258/hr | $22,973 | -16.80x |
| 16 | ID Idaho | $268/hr | $23,562 | -13.50x |
| 17 | MO Missouri | $268/hr | $23,664 | -13.50x |
| 18 | SC South Carolina | $268/hr | $23,552 | -13.50x |
| 19 | MI Michigan | $270/hr | $23,975 | -12.90x |
| 20 | IN Indiana | $272/hr | $23,877 | -12.30x |
| 21 | UT Utah | $272/hr | $24,156 | -12.30x |
| 22 | GA Georgia | $273/hr | $24,311 | -11.90x |
| 23 | NE Nebraska | $273/hr | $23,888 | -11.90x |
| 24 | KS Kansas | $277/hr | $24,079 | -10.60x |
| 25 | VT Vermont | $277/hr | $24,854 | -10.60x |
| 26 | WY Wyoming | $277/hr | $24,196 | -10.60x |
| 27 | FL Florida | $291/hr | $26,153 | -6.10x |
| 28 | WI Wisconsin | $294/hr | $25,734 | -5.20x |
| 29 | AZ Arizona | $298/hr | $26,183 | -3.90x |
| 30 | AK Alaska | $299/hr | $26,795 | -3.50x |
| 31 | ME Maine | $301/hr | $26,429 | -2.90x |
| 32 | DE Delaware | $306/hr | $27,515 | -1.30x |
| 33 | MN Minnesota | $309/hr | $27,142 | -0.30x |
| 34 | OR Oregon | $319/hr | $28,283 | 2.90x |
| 35 | TX Texas | $321/hr | $28,312 | 3.50x |
| 36 | IL Illinois | $322/hr | $28,982 | 3.90x |
| 37 | CO Colorado | $324/hr | $28,956 | 4.50x |
| 38 | PA Pennsylvania | $328/hr | $28,808 | 5.80x |
| 39 | NV Nevada | $335/hr | $29,179 | 8.10x |
| 40 | RI Rhode Island | $337/hr | $29,684 | 8.70x |
| 41 | MD Maryland | $340/hr | $30,437 | 9.70x |
| 42 | NH New Hampshire | $348/hr | $30,475 | 12.30x |
| 43 | WA Washington | $350/hr | $31,322 | 12.90x |
| 44 | VA Virginia | $358/hr | $31,348 | 15.50x |
| 45 | HI Hawaii | $360/hr | $31,688 | 16.10x |
| 46 | MA Massachusetts | $369/hr | $33,311 | 19.00x |
| 47 | NJ New Jersey | $382/hr | $33,843 | 23.20x |
| 48 | NY New York | $402/hr | $36,471 | 29.70x |
| 49 | CT Connecticut | $404/hr | $35,354 | 30.30x |
| 50 | DC District of Columbia | $458/hr | $41,033 | 47.70x |
| 51 | CA California | $464/hr | $40,491 | 49.70x |
The national average hourly rate for a Criminal Defense attorney is $310. Rates range from $206 in West Virginia to $464 in California depending on location and experience.
The average total case cost for Criminal Defense matters is $5,000. This typically includes attorney fees, court filing fees, and related expenses. The typical case duration is Flat Fee.
The most affordable states for Criminal Defense attorneys are West Virginia ($206/hr), Kentucky ($215/hr), North Dakota ($224/hr). These states offer significant savings compared to the national average of $298/hr.
The most expensive states for Criminal Defense attorneys are California ($464/hr), District of Columbia ($458/hr), Connecticut ($404/hr). Higher costs in these states reflect greater cost of living and higher demand for legal services.
The demand for Criminal Defense attorneys is currently High. Defends individuals accused of crimes from misdemeanors to felonies.