Facing a criminal charge in Ann Arbor is serious. Whether you are sitting in the 15th District Court on East Huron Street or looking at a felony case headed to the 22nd Circuit Court, one of the first questions people ask us is: what is this going to cost? It is a fair question, and we want to give you as specific of an answer as we can.
Criminal defense is not a single service with a single price. The range of what attorneys charge in Michigan reflects how genuinely different cases are from one another. Attorneys who handle criminal defense cases in Ann Arbor may bill by the hour, charge a flat fee, or use a combination of both depending on what your situation calls for. Understanding how those structures work helps you make a smarter decision when choosing who represents you.
Flat Fees vs. Hourly Billing
Many criminal defense attorneys in Michigan charge a flat fee for more straightforward cases. This means you pay one agreed amount regardless of how many hours the attorney puts in. For clients, the appeal is predictability. You know your cost upfront and can plan accordingly.
Hourly billing works differently. The attorney tracks their time and charges you for every task, whether that is reviewing police reports, drafting motions, making court appearances, or negotiating with the prosecutor’s office. Time adds up fast. A contested bond hearing, an evidentiary motion, or a trial can each consume several hours of attorney time. That is not a complaint about the process, it is just the reality of how serious legal work gets done.
Some attorneys use a staged flat fee structure, meaning they charge one amount through the pre-trial phase and a separate amount if the case proceeds to trial. This approach gives clients some cost certainty early on while reflecting the significant additional work a trial requires.
What Drives the Cost Up or Down
Charge severity matters a lot. A misdemeanor case handled at the 15th District Court in Ann Arbor generally costs less to defend than a felony case at the Washtenaw County Trial Court on East Huron Street. Felonies involve more court appearances, more complex legal motions, and often more at stake for the client.
The attorney’s experience also affects pricing. Frankly, attorneys who have spent years in Washtenaw County courtrooms, who know how the 22nd Circuit operates and how local prosecutors approach cases, tend to charge more. Knowledge and ability have real value. An attorney who understands the local legal landscape can sometimes identify angles in a case that a less experienced lawyer might miss entirely.
Case complexity is probably the biggest driver of cost. A case that resolves through negotiation costs far less than one requiring forensic review, expert witnesses, or a full jury trial. White-collar matters involving financial records, drug trafficking charges, or violent felonies often require the most preparation time and, accordingly, carry higher fees.
A retainer is an upfront payment that the attorney draws against as they work on your case. It is not a flat fee. Once the retainer is depleted, you may need to replenish it. The retainer agreement should clearly spell out what is and is not included, such as whether trial preparation, expert consultations, or appeals fall within the scope of representation. If those items are not listed, ask before you sign anything.
Additional Costs People Do Not Always Think About
Attorney fees are the main expense, but they are not the only one. Court costs, filing fees, and potential costs for expert witnesses can add to your total. In cases where an expert is needed, that professional typically requires their own advance payment, separate from what you pay your attorney. If the case involves extensive investigation or private investigators, those costs are usually passed through to the client as well.
Appeals are another area where clients sometimes get surprised. Most retainer agreements for criminal cases cover representation through the trial level only. If you want the same attorney to handle an appeal, that typically requires a new agreement and a new fee.
Why Hiring Earlier Generally Costs Less
We have seen this pattern consistently. Clients who contact us early in the process, before charges are formally filed or shortly after an arrest, often have more options available. Early intervention can sometimes affect how a case is charged, what evidence gets preserved, and how negotiations proceed. Waiting tends to narrow those options and can make the overall defense more complicated and more expensive.
This is not about pressuring anyone. It is just that timing matters in criminal cases in ways that are not always obvious to people outside the legal system.
What “Best” Actually Means When Hiring a Criminal Lawyer
People search for the “best” criminal lawyer in Ann Arbor, and we understand the instinct. But the best attorney for your case is not necessarily the one with the highest fees or the most prominent name. It is the one who has genuine experience with the type of charge you are facing, who communicates clearly, and who you trust to represent your interests honestly.
Cost is a real factor. We understand that. At the same time, the consequences of a criminal conviction, including potential jail time, fines, and a permanent record, can follow a person for years. The investment in qualified legal representation is worth taking seriously.
If you have questions about your situation or want to understand what your case may involve, we encourage you to reach out to us at Geherin Law Group, PLLC. We are here to give you a clear picture of what you are facing and what your options look like.