"Because I am a referral-based law firm, and I do not rely on advertisement expenses for my business, I am able to charge reasonable and affordable fees for my services." - S. Silva
FEES FOR CRIMINAL CASES
Most criminal defense lawyers in Arizona do not charge by the hour. Instead, they charge an "earned fee" (also known as a "flat fee") that is based on many factors, including the severity of the criminal charge, the lawyer's experience and reputation, the standard fee in the local market, and how busy the lawyer is at that time. A more experienced lawyer who is very busy is probably going to charge you a higher "earned fee" than a newer lawyer who is looking for cases. But, that is not always the case. Some very good lawyers may charge lower fees because they have become so adept at handling certain cases that it does not require a lot of their time. Also, some lawyers charge higher fees simply because they have very high office overhead and bills they need to pay. You may find that smaller law firms and sole practitioners charge lower fees than bigger law firms, and still have the experience you are looking for.
FEES FOR PERSONAL INJURY CASES
Most personal injury lawyers accept cases on a "contingency fee." A contingency fee means that the lawyer only collects a fee if the case is settled, and the fee is a percentage of the total settlement amount. The standard contingency fee in the Arizona legal market is 33% of the gross settlement (usually higher if a lawsuit is filed). So, if a lawyer settles a case for a total of $9000, the attorney fee would be $3000. The client may receive the other $6000 in its entirety, or some of that may be used to pay legal costs, hired experts, or to pay medical providers that have a legal right to compensation. If the lawyer is unable to settle the case at all, then the lawyer receives no fee and the client will owe the lawyer nothing.
At the Silva Law Firm, P.C., we charge competitive, affordable, and reasonable "earned fees" for the criminal cases we accept. For the personal injury cases we accept, we charge a contingent fee (which means we don't get paid unless we settle your case, and the fee is a percentage of your total settlement).
Most criminal defense lawyers in Arizona do not charge by the hour. Instead, they charge an "earned fee" (also known as a "flat fee") that is based on many factors, including the severity of the criminal charge, the lawyer's experience and reputation, the standard fee in the local market, and how busy the lawyer is at that time. A more experienced lawyer who is very busy is probably going to charge you a higher "earned fee" than a newer lawyer who is looking for cases. But, that is not always the case. Some very good lawyers may charge lower fees because they have become so adept at handling certain cases that it does not require a lot of their time. Also, some lawyers charge higher fees simply because they have very high office overhead and bills they need to pay. You may find that smaller law firms and sole practitioners charge lower fees than bigger law firms, and still have the experience you are looking for.
FEES FOR PERSONAL INJURY CASES
Most personal injury lawyers accept cases on a "contingency fee." A contingency fee means that the lawyer only collects a fee if the case is settled, and the fee is a percentage of the total settlement amount. The standard contingency fee in the Arizona legal market is 33% of the gross settlement (usually higher if a lawsuit is filed). So, if a lawyer settles a case for a total of $9000, the attorney fee would be $3000. The client may receive the other $6000 in its entirety, or some of that may be used to pay legal costs, hired experts, or to pay medical providers that have a legal right to compensation. If the lawyer is unable to settle the case at all, then the lawyer receives no fee and the client will owe the lawyer nothing.
At the Silva Law Firm, P.C., we charge competitive, affordable, and reasonable "earned fees" for the criminal cases we accept. For the personal injury cases we accept, we charge a contingent fee (which means we don't get paid unless we settle your case, and the fee is a percentage of your total settlement).
Silva Law Firm, P.C. LEGAL DISCLAIMER: The materials in this web site are not legal advice and your use of these materials does not constitute nor form an attorney/client relationship with the Silva Law Firm, P.C. Please do not send any confidential information to our office without prior authorization. Contact us personally regarding specific advice for your particular case, because there is no substitute for professional legal counsel.