Are you being charged with a criminal offence?
The verdict is by far the most important consideration but you will also need to think about the fees of the criminal lawyer who will be defending you. How much will your criminal lawyer charge to get you out of a jam?
Well, that's exactly the question that JuriGo will answer for you in this article to help you choose the right lawyer to defend you.
Consult the fees, average rates, and packages offered by criminal lawyers in Quebec right here, and fill out our form at the bottom of the page to be connected to a good lawyer for free.
Our referral service is no-obligation so don’t waste any more time and Find a lawyer for your case.
What you need to know about criminal defense lawyers in Quebec in 2024!
A criminal lawyer is a specialist in criminal and penal offences.
More specifically, he is a specialist in criminal defense and is able to represent clients accused of all types of offences under the law.
Whether in court during a trial or in front of the Crown Prosecutor, the criminal lawyer does everything in his power to exonerate his client, or to obtain the most lenient sentence.
Knowing this, for what offences can criminal lawyers intervene in Quebec? Here are some examples:
- Theft charges
- Assault charges
- Drinking and driving charges
- Care and control of a vehicle while intoxicated
- Firearms related offences
- Major Crimes
Now that the role and importance of a criminal defense lawyer are clear, you still have to determine the cost of lawyers’ services.
JuriGo explains this in detail in the next section!
How do criminal defense lawyers' fees work in Quebec?
In Quebec, lawyers are free to charge their fees and how they work. This means that the price paid for a criminal lawyer's services is likely to vary as well as how they bill for their services.
Here is an overview of how criminal defense lawyer fees work in Quebec to help you see things more clearly!
The hourly rate
The hourly rate for lawyers’ services is commonly practiced in Quebec.
This method of remuneration has the advantage of being fair since the total cost will be based on the time spent by the lawyer on the case and its complexity. However, a case that drags on will result in higher fees for the services of a criminal lawyer.
The flat fee
A flat fee is a fixed price for the lawyer's services regardless of the time spent on the case. In criminal law, the flat fee applies to predictable cases such as guilty pleas.
The price ceiling
Does your criminal defense lawyer agree to a price cap? This means that a maximum fee will be agreed upon between the client and the lawyer, and this cap will represent the limit paid by the client for his or her legal services.
Some lawyers may also offer a "hybrid" fee arrangement that combines several of these types of fees. And whatever method you choose, make sure you receive and understand a detailed accounting at the conclusion of the case.
JuriGo has a breakdown of how much you should expect to pay for a criminal defense lawyer right here!
How much does it cost to hire a criminal defense lawyer in Quebec?
Crime does not pay. In fact, simply being charged with a criminal offence requires paying the fees of a criminal defense lawyer. How much does a lawyer charge for a trial, a guilty plea, or any other criminal case?
Here is an overview of the costs related to the services of criminal defense lawyers in Quebec!
| Hourly Rate | $100 to 300/hour |
|---|---|
| Summary offence trial (1 day) | $2,500 to $3,500 |
| Criminal offense trial (1 day) | Ranges from $3,000 to $4,000 |
| Criminal charges (Complex cases) | $10,000++ |
| Enter a guilty plea | $1,000 to $2,000 |
**Based on average rates reported by Canadian Lawyer Magazine
Why does the type of offence affect the cost of legal fees?
Because a summary offence is less "serious" than a criminal offence, and the time required to resolve the case is generally less as is the level of complexity. There are exceptions, but defending against a criminal charge will generally be more expensive.
What factors will affect the hourly rate of a criminal lawyer?
Experience, reputation, and the chances of success are the main factors that will dictate the hourly rate set by a criminal defense lawyer. Criminal defense lawyers' hourly rates can range from $100 to $300 per hour so it is important to compare a few lawyers before making your choice.
Can a lawyer ask you for an advance for his services?
Yes, he can! Lawyers are entitled to require advances for their services. Advances may also be required during the execution of the contract so it is important to discuss this with the lawyer beforehand and to ensure that the fees are reasonable.
Criminal Lawyer with capped fees or decreasing rates: How do they work?
Capped fees are a good option to limit the costs of legal representation.
The effect of a cap on fees is to limit the lawyer's fees to a specified budget. Until this maximum budget is reached, the client pays the lawyer's hourly rate as agreed.
This allows the lawyer to receive the hourly rate he or she feels is reasonable, and helps the client to avoid exceeding his or her means to obtain a defense.
Another viable option for saving money on the cost of a lawyer is to use a sliding scale.
Decreasing rates mean that the criminal lawyer's hourly rate decreases after a certain number of hours spent on the case. Again, this allows the client to benefit from the services of a criminal lawyer at a reasonable price.
How does a plea affect the cost of a criminal lawyer?
The plea entered in court affects the cost of a criminal lawyer’s services.
Why does the type of plea affect the cost of a lawyer? For the simple reason that a guilty plea saves your lawyer many hours of work since he or she does not have to prepare a defense for trial. However, you should may be charged additional costs for a guilty plea, especially if the lawyer had to negotiate a deal with the prosecutor.
Why is it more expensive to plead not guilty?
Because a not guilty plea requires the preparation of a full defence for trial before a judge - and possibly a jury. This means that the lawyer will spend more hours on the case and this will affect the lawyer’s bill.
Is it possible to save on the cost of a criminal lawyer?
A criminal charge will inevitably involve some legal fees in order to prepare a solid defense against the charge. However, this does not mean that it is impossible to save money.
JuriGo has tips on how to minimize the cost of your criminal lawyer:
Evaluate your chances of success with a criminal lawyer. After a thorough analysis of your case and the charge against you, your lawyer should be able to determine your chances of success.
Knowing this prognosis will give you a better idea of what strategy to adopt to keep your legal fees to a minimum (e.g. negotiate a reduced sentence, plead guilty, go to trial, etc.).
Compare several criminal defense lawyers. Rates, fee structure, and level of competence vary from lawyer to lawyer. These are factors that influence the cost of a criminal lawyer's services. Be sure to talk to several criminal lawyers.
Check your eligibility for government legal aid!
Legal aid is a government service offered to promote access to justice for individuals with limited means. Many criminal lawyers take on legal aid cases, both pro-bono cases and with contribution.
If you are eligible for government legal aid, you may be able to obtain the services of a criminal lawyer for free, or for a small fee.
As you can see, it is possible to save money on the services of a criminal lawyer. All you need to do is to find the right criminal lawyer such as the partners in the JuriGo network!
Find your criminal lawyer at the right price with JuriGo!
There are not many cases with heavier consequences than a criminal offense.
The threat of jail time, a fine, or a criminal record can cause a certain level of anxiety. It is therefore essential to quickly enlist the help of a criminal defense lawyer to represent you.
JuriGo can connect you with the right criminal defense lawyer in your area to defend you.
To get in touch with this professional, all you have to do is fill out our form at the bottom of the page, and we'll take care of the rest. It's free and without obligation!