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How much does a federal criminal defense lawyer cost in New Hampshire

April 18, 2024 Uncategorized

The Real Cost of a Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer in Houston

You Need the Best Lawyer You Can Get

There’s one reason you’re on this website: you’re looking for an elite criminal defense law firm, because you or someone you care about is facing federal criminal charges in Houston. Most law firms implement a cookie cutter strategy in order to fight your case, and save their own time. They don‘t look carefully at your situation – they simply want to move on to the next case. At Spodek Law Group, we leave no stone unturned. We do everything possible to win. Everything we do is focused on getting you results. We understand the difficult and challenges of going through a case. If you‘re accused of a crime, schedule a consultation with our criminal attorneys today.

Why Hiring the Right Lawyer is Crucial

Sorry if that didn’t make sense, let me explain further. Sometimes prosecutors will only be fair if you respond with force to them. Without an attorney advising you, you might accidentally plead guilty when you could‘ve won the case. The only way to truly know is to hire a private criminal defense attorney. At Spodek Law Group – we pride ourselves on taking a hands-on approach. It means researching the exact situation surrounding your case, and putting in the leg work to be familiar with every single intimate detail. Our firm has excellent work ethics, and we constantly hold firm meetings in order to discuss and address all of our cases. In the event of an emergency – we have a full team of lawyers available to help you.Regardless of how tough your situation is – we are here to help you. Our criminal defense lawyers work hard to have a solution for you, irrespective of the situation you find yourself in. Many clients are often embarrassed by their situation, and don’t speak openly about their alleged issue. We encourage open dialogue, and recommend full transparency – so we can give you the best possible legal advice.

Understanding the Costs

Wait, what did you say? You want to know how much hiring a federal criminal defense lawyer in Houston is going to cost? It’s a fair question, but also a tricky one, because there are so many variables involved. However, I’ll do my best to break it down for you.The biggest factors impacting cost are:

  • The severity and complexity of the charges against you
  • Whether your case goes to trial or is resolved through a plea bargain
  • The experience level of the attorney you hire

Let’s look at each of these in more detail.

Severity and Complexity of Charges

Federal crimes run the gamut from relatively minor offenses like misdemeanor drug possession all the way up to serious felonies like racketeering, fraud, and even treason against the United States. Obviously, the more severe and complex the charges, the more work will be required of your defense attorney, and the higher the cost.Some examples of common federal charges and their potential penalties:

  • Drug possession (21 USC 844) – Up to 1 year in prison, $1,000 fine for first offense
  • Wire fraud (18 USC 1343) – Up to 20 years in prison, fines
  • Racketeering (RICO) (18 USC 1961-1968) – Up to 20 years in prison, forfeiture of assets, fines
  • Treason (18 USC 2381) – Death, or at least 5 years in prison, $10,000 fine, ineligible for pardon

As you can see, the stakes get very high, very quickly when you’re dealing with federal charges. Your lawyer will need to mount an extremely vigorous defense commensurate with the severity of the allegations.

Trial vs. Plea Bargain

Around 90% of federal cases never go to trial, because prosecutors offer defendants the opportunity to plead guilty in exchange for a reduced sentence. Plea bargains save the government the time and expense of a trial.However, that doesn’t mean your lawyer can just phone it in. Quite the opposite – they need to thoroughly investigate your case and prepare for trial in order to negotiate the best possible plea deal from a position of strength.If your case does go to trial, that adds exponentially more work in terms of:

Christine Twomey
Christine Twomey
2024-03-21
Just had my Divorce case settled 2 months ago after having a horrible experience with another firm. I couldn’t be happier with Claire Banks and Elizabeth Garvey with their outstanding professionalism in doing so with Spodek Law Group. Any time I needed questions answered they were always prompt in doing so with all my uncertainties after 30 yrs of marriage.I feel from the bottom of my heart you will NOT be disappointed with either one. Thanks a million.
Brendan huisman
Brendan huisman
2024-03-18
Alex Zhik contacted me almost immediately when I reached out to Spodek for a consultation and was able to effectively communicate the path forward/consequences of my legal issue. I immediately agreed to hire Alex for his services and did not regret my choice. He was able to cover my case in court (with 1 day notice) and not only was he able to push my case down, he carefully negotiated a dismissal of the charge altogether. I highly recommend Spodek, and more specifically, Alex Zhik for all of your legal issues. Thanks guys!
Guerline Menard
Guerline Menard
2024-03-18
Thanks again Spodek law firm, particularly Esq Claire Banks who stood right there with us up to the finish line. Attached photos taken right outside of the court building and the smile on our faces represented victory, a breath of fresh air and satisfaction. We are very happy that this is over and we can move on with our lives. Thanks Spodek law 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙌🏼❤️
Keisha Parris
Keisha Parris
2024-03-15
Believe every single review here about Alex Z!! From our initial consultation, it was evident that Alex possessed a profound understanding of criminal law and a fierce dedication to his clients rights. Throughout the entirety of my case, Alex exhibited unparalleled professionalism and unwavering commitment. What sets Alex apart is not only his legal expertise but also his genuine compassion for his clients. He took the time to thoroughly explain my case, alleviating any concerns I had along the way. His exact words were “I’m not worried about it”. His unwavering support and guidance were invaluable throughout the entire process. I am immensely grateful for Alex's exceptional legal representation and wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Alex Z is not just a lawyer; he is a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of the legal system. If you find yourself in need of a dedicated and competent legal advocate, look no further than Alex Z.
Taïko Beauty
Taïko Beauty
2024-03-15
I don’t know where to start, I can write a novel about this firm, but one thing I will say is that having my best interest was their main priority since the beginning of my case which was back in Winter 2019. Miss Claire Banks, one of the best Attorneys in the firm represented me very well and was very professional, respectful, and truthful. Not once did she leave me in the dark, in fact she presented all options and routes that could possibly be considered for my case and she reinsured me that no matter what I decided to do, her and the team will have my back and that’s exactly what happened. Not only will I be liberated from this case, also, I will enjoy my freedom and continue to be a mother to my first born son and will have no restrictions with accomplishing my goals in life. Now that’s what I call victory!! I thank the Lord, My mother, Claire, and the Spodek team for standing by me and fighting with me. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work with this team. I’m very satisfied, very pleased with their performance, their hard work, and their diligence. Thank you team!
Anthony Williams
Anthony Williams
2024-03-12
Hey, how you guys doing? Good afternoon my name is Anthony Williams I just want to give a great shout out to the team of. Spodek law group. It is such a honor to use them and to use their assistance through this whole case from start to finish. They did everything that they said they was gonna do and if it ever comes down to it, if I ever have to use them again, hands-down they will be the first law office at the top of my list, thank you guys so much. It was a pleasure having you guys by my side so if you guys ever need them, do not hesitate to pick up the phone and give them a call.
Loveth Okpedo
Loveth Okpedo
2024-03-12
Very professional, very transparent, over all a great experience
Bee L
Bee L
2024-02-28
Amazing experience with Spodek! Very professional lawyers who take your case seriously. They treated me with respect, were always available, and answered any and all questions. They were able to help me very successfully and removed a huge stress. Highly recommend.
divesh patel
divesh patel
2024-02-24
I can't recommend Alex Zhik and Spodek Law Firm highly enough for their exceptional legal representation and personal mentorship. From the moment I engaged their services in October 2022, Alex took the time to understand my case thoroughly and provided guidance every step of the way. Alex's dedication to my case went above and beyond my expectations. His expertise, attention to detail, and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome were evident throughout the entire process. He took the time to mentor me, ensuring I understood the legal complexities involved to make informed decisions. Alex is the kind of guy you would want to have a beer with and has made a meaningful impact on me. I also want to acknowledge Todd Spodek, the leader of the firm, who played a crucial role in my case. His leadership and support bolstered the efforts of Alex, and his involvement highlighted the firm's commitment to excellence. Thanks to Alex Zhik and Todd Spodek, I achieved the outcome I desired, and I am incredibly grateful for their professionalism, expertise, and genuine care. If you're in need of legal representation, look no further than this outstanding team.
  • Interviewing and preparing witnesses
  • Reviewing all evidence and discovery materials
  • Researching case law and drafting motions
  • Picking a jury
  • The trial itself, which could last days or weeks for a complex case

All of this extra work gets very expensive, very quickly. While most lawyers would prefer to resolve your case through a plea if possible, they have to be ready to take it to trial if needed to get you the best outcome.

Attorney Experience Level

Like anything else, you get what you pay for when it comes to hiring an attorney. An inexperienced lawyer fresh out of law school may charge $200-300 per hour. A veteran federal criminal defense specialist could charge $500 per hour or more.While that cost difference is significant, it’s penny wise and pound foolish to simply go with the cheapest option when your freedom and future are at stake. An experienced federal criminal defense attorney knows all the ins and outs of:

  • Federal rules of evidence and procedure
  • Working with federal investigators and prosecutors
  • Developing a winning strategy for your specific charges
  • Negotiating favorable plea bargains
  • Trying federal criminal cases before judges and juries

Their deep expertise could make the difference between an acquittal or a lengthy prison sentence. You have to decide if that‘s worth the investment.

Sample Costs for Common Scenarios

Okay, but what does all this mean in real dollar terms? Here are some sample cost estimates for common federal criminal cases in Houston:

Drug Possession

For a relatively simple misdemeanor drug possession case that can be resolved through a plea bargain, you could be looking at $5,000 – $10,000 in legal fees for an experienced attorney.If it goes to trial, double or triple that, so $10,000 – $30,000.

White Collar Crime (Fraud, Embezzlement, etc.)

White collar cases are incredibly document and evidence-intensive. They often involve complex financial records, emails, witness testimony, and more. Even for a plea deal, costs could easily reach $25,000 – $50,000.If you go to trial, be prepared for $100,000 – $500,000 or more in legal fees, depending on the specific charges and how long the trial lasts.

RICO/Organized Crime

When you’re talking about charges as serious as racketeering and organized crime under the RICO statute, the gloves are off. Prosecutors will throw everything they have at you.For these types of cases, you need to fight fire with fire. Expect a bare minimum of $100,000 for even the most basic defense, all the way up into the millions for a prolonged, complex trial.

Lawyers You Can Trust

Todd Spodek

Founding Partner

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RALPH P. FRANCHO, JR

Associate

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JEREMY FEIGENBAUM

Associate Attorney

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ELIZABETH GARVEY

Associate

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CLAIRE BANKS

Associate

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RAJESH BARUA

Of-Counsel

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CHAD LEWIN

Of-Counsel

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