MARK J. ANDERSEN
How much will this cost me?
The most a criminal case will cost someone is his or her life. Choosing your representative in this very difficult time of your life could be one of the most important decisions you ever make. You need someone who not only understands the system and is capable of presenting your arguments coherently and persuasively, but you need someone who will understand you. You also need a lawyer with whom you are comfortable and will get along with if you have to sit side by side during a lengthy stressful trial.
Lawyers in other areas of law generally will charge hourly fees ranging anywhere from $150 - $400 per hour. In the personal injury arena, lawyers charge contingent fees where they will take a percentage of the winnings. In my practice, I don’t charge hourly and the state bar ethically forbids lawyers to take contingent fees in criminal cases. Below are examples of some of the flat fees I charge. I list these prices to give you an idea and I reserve the right to charge more or less, accept payments or not.
Civil Traffic offense including photo radar- $750.00
Criminal Misdemeanors or Criminal Traffic in municipal or justice courts (excepting excessive speed and DUI charges)- $3,000.00 (This includes trial, if necessary)
Excessive speeding- $1,500.00 (This includes trial, if necessary)
Regular or Extreme 1st or 2nd offense DUI- Non-trial resolution: $2,500.00. This also includes representation before Arizona MVD.
Regular or Extreme 1st or 2nd offense DUI- Jury trial: $7,500.00. (None of these fees include the costs of the expert witness fees, transcription costs or other expenses that will run another $1,000.00 to $2,000.00).
Juvenile case- $3,000.00 (This includes trial, if necessary)
Felonies can vary so widely in the amount of work and stress that it’s hard to make generalities about fees. I can tell you that I take many factors into consideration when I am going to represent someone in a felony case. I’ve defended and prosecuted people accused of a gigantic variety of felonies from drug or weapon possession cases to homicides all the way through jury trials and I have dealt with every special crimes bureau in the county attorney’s office in Maricopa and Pinal County as a prosecutor and a defense attorney. I have also dealt extensively with the Arizona Attorney General’s office.
Extraditions - $2,500.00 (Includes an extradition hearing, if needed)
Pre-file cases - If you are being investigated by a police or sheriff’s department, FBI, DEA, child or adult protective services, a prosecutor’s office etc., you would be wise to have an attorney involved before charges are filed. Many times, an attorney can help you do the things that will save you from very serious charges. My fee for acting in this capacity is usually $3,000.00.
Bail Bond Forfeiture-$1,500.00
Forfeiture cases- $3,000.00 flat fee plus hourly after the first 12.5 hours at a rate of $240.00 per hour. When the government has seized your property as a result of criminal acts, they will sometimes file a case in the superior court in order to forfeit that property and keep it for the benefit of the governmental agencies involved. This can be a protracted and expensive litigation. There are court costs like filing fees in addition to my fees.
This law firm makes no guarantees as to the outcome of your matter: only that Mark J. Andersen will act in your best interests, within the bounds of the law and within his ethical obligations and work towards helping you receive the best outcome possible.
