What does a criminal defense lawyer cost?

The short answer

The costs of a criminal defense lawyer vary greatly depending on the lawyer and the case. Experienced criminal lawyers often charge €250-€300 per hour, while junior lawyers are around €150-€200 per hour. For simple cases like traffic offenses, you usually pay a fixed fee of €500-€1,500. For more complex cases like fraud or violent crimes, the costs can quickly add up to €5,000-€15,000 or more. Fortunately, there is financial support available for people with low incomes.

What does the law say?

The law stipulates that everyone has the right to legal assistance in criminal cases. The Legal Aid Act ensures that people with a low income can get a subsidized lawyer. This legal aid certificate is applied for at the Legal Aid Board. For legal aid, you only pay a personal contribution of up to €853 (2024), regardless of the number of hours the lawyer spends on the case.

What should you watch out for?

Always ask for a written cost breakdown in advance and have it documented in an offer or agreement. Check if you qualify for legal aid before hiring a lawyer at your own expense. Note that some lawyers may require an advance payment before starting work. For complex cases, the costs can quickly escalate, so discuss cost limits in a timely manner.

Example from practice

Mark earns €28,000 per year and is suspected of assault. He applies for legal aid and is granted it because his income is below the limit. He only pays the personal contribution of €853, while his lawyer ultimately spent 25 hours on the case. Without legal aid, Mark would have had to pay at least €3,750 (25 hours x €150). The legal aid has thus saved him over €2,900.

What can you do?

Always start by checking if you're eligible for legal aid through the income test of the Legal Aid Board.