Fixed Fees – Criminal & Traffic Cases

The cost to hire a criminal lawyer depends on the type of charge, complexity or simplicity of the case, and level of experience to reflect the quality of legal representation. The hourly rate for a criminal lawyer ranges from $220 to $880 per hour. A straight forward non-complex Local Court sentence or hearing will cost between $2,200 to $3,300 for up to one day in court. A non-complex straight forward District Court sentence or hearing will cost between $3,300 to $6,600 for up to one day in court.

The simplicity or complexity of the case, the seriousness of the charge, the level of court (local, district, supreme or high court), and the level of experience of the criminal defence lawyer are the four main factors that cause criminal defence costs to vary. A further factor that can increase the cost is adding a criminal defence barrister, and the level of experience of the barrister (junior, intermediate or senior counsel).

A flat or fixed fee cost will range from $2,200 to $6,600 for a criminal lawyer to prepare for and attend up to one day in the local or district court for a sentence or hearing. Flat fee costs are also known as fixed fees which are now common for criminal lawyers to charge clients. The amount of the flat fee will depend on the complexity of the case, type of charge, court and the lawyers years of experience and expertise in the area of law.

A criminal defence lawyer average fee per hour will range from $230 to $880. An entry level lawyer with limited to no experience will usually have an average per hourly fee of $220. A junior lawyer with about one year of experience will have an average per hour fee of $440. An intermediate lawyer with 2-4 years of experience will have an average per hour fee of $550. A senior lawyer with 5 plus years of experience will have an average per hour fee of $660.

The common cost is $2,200 for an experienced criminal lawyer to prepare for and attend up to one day in the local court for sentence for a drug possession charge. This fee can go up to $3,300 if further preparation is required to be prepared for the court date, which may include negotiating with police and/or obtaining expert reports such as a psychologist report. This extra work will not usually be required for the standard drug possession charge.

The usual fee is $2,200 to have an experienced criminal lawyer to prepare and attend up to one day in the local court in a drink driving case for sentence. This cost can range between $2,200 to $3,300 depending on the complexity, extent of preparation required and whether it is a low, mid or high-range PCA/drink driving offence.

Having an attorney to represent you is not compulsory, but highly recommended. An attorney is another word for lawyer. In deciding whether you need a lawyer to represent you, you should keep in mind that a lawyer:

Who specialises in a particular area of law can guide you with good advice to prevent you from making mistakes and possibly ruining your case unnecessarily.

Can explain any hidden meanings in legal documents that you probably wouldn’t know about.

Help you understand your legal rights and responsibilities, and identify any defences for your case that you weren’t aware of.

Inform you of any time limits that may apply to your case, and whether you can ask for extensions.

Help and guide you in filling out important forms.

Talk on your behalf to police or other authorities, especially in court when representing you so that you don’t say anything that may jeopardize your case.

Give you experienced insight and guidance as to the strengths and weaknesses of the police case, your options, pros and cons of each option, and advice about the best option(s) to take in your particular case based on the unique features of your case.

Give you advise on the likely result of your case, and how long it will take.

Identify opportunities to negotiate with the prosecution to drop or downgrade charges early. There is a particular legal process for this called “legal representations”.

All preparation work, conferences, and up to one day in the Local Court by an experienced lawyer:

• $2,200 (incl. GST) for courts in or near Sydney.
• $3,300 (incl. GST) for courts outside Sydney (plus travel disbursement if necessary).

If your case requires an additional court mention date, it will attract a further fee which you will be advised of during consultation. Not all cases will require this.

These fixed fees apply to non-complex sentences.

For a local court hearing, including assault, DV matters, drug and traffic charges:

• $3,300 (incl. GST) for courts within Sydney metropolitan.
• $4,400 (incl. GST) for courts outside Sydney metropolitan (plus travel disbursement if necessary).

If your case requires an additional court mention date, it will attract a further fee which you will be advised of during consultation. Not all cases will require this.

These fixed fees apply to non-complex hearings.

All preparation work, conferences and up to one day in court for a bail application by an experienced lawyer:

• $2,200 (incl. GST) for courts within Sydney metropolitan.
• $3,300 (incl. GST) for courts outside Sydney metropolitan (plus travel disbursement if necessary).
• $2,750 (incl. GST) for weekend bail applications within Sydney metropolitan.

If your case requires an additional court mention date, it will attract a further fee which you will be advised of during consultation. Not all cases will require this.

These fixed fees apply to non-complex bail applications.

All preparation work, consultations, advice, and up to one day attendance in the Supreme Court of NSW for a Supreme Court Bail application by an experienced criminal defence lawyer:

• $6,600 (incl. GST) for up to one hearing date in the Supreme Court.

If your case requires an additional court mention date, it will attract a further fee which you will be advised of during consultation. Not all cases will require this.

These fixed fees apply to non-complex bail applications.

All preparation work, conferences and up to one day in court by an experienced lawyer for severity appeal:

• $3,750 (incl. GST) for court in Sydney metropolitan.
• $4,400 (incl. GST) for courts outside Sydney metropolitan (plus travel disbursement if necessary).

All preparation work, conferences and up to one day in court by an experienced lawyer for conviction or all grounds appeal:

• $5,500 (incl. GST) for courts within Sydney metropolitan area.
• Plus travel disbursement if court is outside Sydney metropolitan.

If your case requires an additional court mention date, a further fee will apply. You will be advised of this during consultation. Not all cases will require this.

These fixed fees applies to non-complex appeals.

All preparation, consultation and up to one day in court by an experienced criminal defence lawyer for a section 14 mental health application hearing:

• $3,300 (incl. GST) for courts within Sydney metropolitan area.
• Plus travel disbursement for courts outside Sydney if necessary

If your case requires additional disbursement costs of an expert ‘psych’ report, you will be advised of this during consultation.

• $2,200 (incl. GST) for courts within Sydney metropolitan area (plus travel disbursement for courts outside Sydney if necessary).

This fee includes, all preparation work, conferences, and up to one day in court by an experienced Lawyer for Driver Licence Appeals.

• $2,200 (incl. GST) for court in or near Sydney (plus travel disbursement for courts outside Sydney if necessary).

This fee includes, all preparation, conferences, and up to one day in court by an experienced lawyer for quashing Habitual Offender Declarations.

• $2,750 (incl. GST) for police stations within Sydney metropolitan area (plus travel disbursement for police stations outside Sydney metropolitan).

This fee includes, an experienced lawyer attending police station during arrest, questioning and charge process. It includes negotiations with police regarding bail.

An experienced lawyer attending prison for consultation:

• $1,650 (incl. GST) for prisons within Sydney metropolitan (including Silverwater MRRC, Long Bay, Mulawa, and Parklea).
  Plus travel disbursement for prisons outside Sydney metropolitan.