MN DWI Lawyer | MN Criminal Defense Attorney

Retainer | Attorney Fees

If you have communicated with more than one Minnesota criminal defense attorney, you know that a retainer fee ("attorney fees") can vary a great deal--from hundreds to thousands of dollars. Regardless of which criminal defense attorney you choose, attorney fees must be reasonable.

In an ideal world, every person accused of a crime would have the means to hire a competent, experienced and zealous criminal defense attorney of their own choosing. Unfortunately, this is too often not the case.

While each person's definition of what is expensive or inexpensive differs, based on most objective measurements the hiring of competent and experienced representation is not inexpensive--even when the retainer fee is reasonable from a legal and ethical standpoint.

I remain open minded for creative and realistic agreements with respect to reasonable retainer fees from clients.

When needed, I will consider a realistic financial retainer agreement (*I did not become a criminal defense attorney to bankrupt people).

Over the years, I have had clients find that family members, spouses, friends, organizations and other resources can be called upon in times of financial need (and risk of the loss of freedom) to help fund a proper defense. In addition, some of my clients have found it helpful that we accept credit card payments.

Basis of Retainer | Attorney Fees

An important factor in maintaining the trust and confidence of my clients is communicating clearly the amount of my retainer fee and what it covers on a given case. My reasonable retainer fee is based on and in compliance with the ethical factors and considerations covered in the Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct that govern licensed attorneys, as follows:

(1) the time and labor required, the novelty and difficulty of the questions involved, and the skill requisite to perform the legal service properly;

(2) the likelihood, if apparent to the client, that the acceptance of the particular employment will preclude other employment by the lawyer;

(3) the fee customarily charged in the locality for similar legal services;

(4) the amount involved and the results obtained;

(5) the time limitations imposed by the client or by the circumstances;

(6) the nature and length of the professional relationship with the client;

(7) the experience, reputation and ability of the lawyer or lawyers performing the services; and

(8) whether the fee is fixed or contingent.

As with most criminal defense attorneys, my retainer fee in a criminal case is fixed. My retainer fee is a set or flat charge that is not contingent on the outcome or any promise. It is unethical for a criminal defense attorney to make a retainer fee contingent on the outcome of the case.

Amount of Retainer | Attorney Fees in a Given Case

As the above-noted ethical factors and considerations show, in order to quote and ultimately charge a reasonable retainer fee in a given case, I must learn more than the basic details of the case. This is precisely why most criminal defense attorneys, including myself, do not have a price-for-type-of-case menu that might be posted at an automobile repair shop. For more than a decade I have handled many similar type of cases, e.g., DWI,  and I can provide a general range of what my retainer fee is likely to be on a specific case.

Again, depending on a number of ethical factors and the specifics of your DWI case:

My retainer fee for a DWI generally ranges between

$1,900.00 to $10,000.00.

This illustrative range example of my retainer fee in these type of cases is why I need all details concerning your case, including your concerns and expectations, before I can quote you a reasonable retainer fee specific to your case.

Remember the old adage:

You get what you pay for!

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

Contact Me for a Reasonable Retainer Fee Quote

If you want an honest and candid review of your case, and subsequently a quote of my reasonable retainer fee based on ethical considerations and the specifics of your case:

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MN DWI Lawyer | Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorneys

Call Me, Matthew L. Thornton, Esq.: (651) 699-2007