Fixed Fees – Criminal & Traffic Cases

Fixed fees for criminal cases and driving cases provides transparency and comfort, allowing you to know exactly how much your case will cost.

The fixed fees below are structured in a way to allow our team of senior defence lawyers to work closely on your case with absolute dedication, with no compromise on quality in the preparation and court representation for your case.

Looking for a criminal lawyer? Criminal Defence Lawyers Australia® operates from the following offices:

See below fixed fees for criminal and traffic cases.

HOW MUCH DOES A CRIMINAL LAWYER COST IN AUSTRALIA?

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 $300 to $800 per hour. A straight forward non-complex sentence or hearing will cost between $2,200 to $3,300 for one court date in the local court. A non-complex straight forward sentence or hearing will cost between $3,300 to $6,600 for one day in the District Court.

WHAT FACTORS CAUSE CRIMINAL DEFENCE COSTS TO VARY?

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).

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST IF THE LAWYER CHARGES A FLAT FEE?

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.

CRIMINAL DEFENCE LAWYER AVERAGE FEES PER HOUR

A criminal defence lawyer average fee per hour will range from $300 to $800. An entry level lawyer with limited to no experience will usually have an average per hour fee of $300. A junior lawyer with about one year of experience will have an average per hour fee of $400, an intermediate lawyer with 2-4 years of experience will have an average per hour fee of $500, while a senior lawyer with 5 plus years of experience will have an average per hour fee of up to $800.

HOW MUCH DOES A CRIMINAL LAWYER COST FOR DRUG POSSESSION?

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.

HOW MUCH DOES A CRIMINAL LAWYER COST FOR DRINK DRIVING CASES?

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.

DO I NEED AN ATTORNEY TO REPRESENT ME?

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”.

PLEADING GUILTY FIXED FEE

All preparation work, conferences, and a full day in court by an experienced lawyer:

  • $2,200 (incl. GST) for courts in or near Sydney
  • $2,500 (incl. GST) for courts outside Sydney Plus travel disbursement if necessary

PLEADING NOT GUILTY FIXED FEE

For non-complex local court hearings, including most assault, drug and driving charges:

  • $3,300 (incl. GST) for courts in or near Sydney
  • $4,400 (incl. GST) for courts outside Sydney Plus travel disbursement if necessary

This fee includes 2 court dates, consisting of a first court date called a ‘mention’, all preparation work, conferences, & your hearing date in court by an experienced lawyer.

Your experienced lawyer will explain this to you again in your free 1st consult.

LOCAL AND DISTRICT COURT BAIL APPLICATIONS

All preparation work, conferences & a full day in court for a bail application by an experienced lawyer:

  • $2,200 (incl. GST) for courts in or near Sydney
  • $2,500 (incl. GST) for courts outside Sydney Plus travel disbursement if necessary
  • $2,500 (incl. GST) for weekend bail applications in or near Sydney

SUPREME COURT BAIL APPLICATIONS

All preparation work, consultations, advice, and up to 1 day attendance at the Supreme Court of NSW for a Supreme Court Bail application by an experienced criminal defence lawyer:

  • $7,700 (incl. GST) for up to one hearing date in the Supreme Court
  • $1,100 (incl. GST) for a mention day (if required)

APPEALS TO THE DISTRICT COURT

All preparation work, conferences and a full day in court by an experienced lawyer for severity appeal:

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

 

All preparation work, conferences and 2 court dates (includes a first court date called a ‘mention’ and a hearing date) 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.

MENTAL HEALTH DEFENCE

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

This fee includes, all preparation work, conferences, briefing an expert psychiatrist or psychologist, including the first court date (called a ‘mention’), plus a full day in court by an experienced lawyer for a mental health application to have your case dismissed due to mental health.

DRIVER LICENCE APPEALS

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

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

QUASHING HABITUAL OFFENDER DECLARATIONS

  • $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 a full day in court by an experienced lawyer for quashing Habitual Offender Declarations.

ATTENDING POLICE STATION WITH YOU

  • $1,650 (incl. GST) for police stations within Sydney metropolitan
    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.

VISITING A PRISON FOR CONSULTATION

An experienced lawyer attending prison for consultation:

  • $1,100 (incl. GST) for prisons within Sydney metropolitan (including Silverwater MRRC, Long Bay, Mulawa, and Parklea).
    Plus travel disbursement for prisons outside Sydney metropolitan.

Further fees and additional court dates may be required depending on the complexity of your case. Our experienced lawyers will advise you of this in your 1st free consult if this applies to your case. Usual fee for each additional court date for ‘mention’ is $1,100.

FEATURED ON:

  What Our Clients Say

I was represented by Emerson Lamarre from CDLA for driving offences and possession of weapon charges which he got all chargers dropped for me. I could not have asked for… (read full review) By B.F. from Sydney on 22/11/2023
I am incredibly grateful to Alex and Emerson, who provided exceptional representation in my recent court case. Their extensive expertise and strategic approach gave me the best result in court.… (read full review) By J.C. from Sydney on 27/11/2023
Ibrahim and Emerson were amazing as my lawyers for court. They were professional, knowledgeable, and provided excellent support throughout my whole case. They went above and beyond to make sure… (read full review) By E.A. from Sydney on 24/11/2023
Nothing but 5 star service and professionalism from Sean of CDLA. He is empathetic and sincere and experienced in the criminal justice system. My case was won all because of… (read full review) By M.A. from Sydney on 24/11/2023
I hired Emerson from Criminal Defence Lawyers Australia for my case. I am satisfied with the decision and now I am free from the criminal record. Thank you for your… (read full review) By Y.K. from Sydney on 23/10/2023

Free Conference Booking Form

Follow Us