Hire Criminal Lawyer in Ontario

Hiring the right criminal lawyer to work on your case is essential. Regardless of whether you’re looking to prove your innocence or have the best possible outcome for your sentencing, you need to work with a skilled lawyer who knows their way around criminal law. However, it can be difficult to estimate how much you’re required to pay for the services of a skilled lawyer if you have never needed to use a legal professional in this capacity before.

There are a number of variables to the way that criminal lawyers tend to bill for their time, and you might decide to prioritize looking for lawyers who can handle your case in a way that you can afford. Remember to consider that various factors can add to the expense of your case as it progresses – what can seem like an affordable option at first can escalate to one that you cannot afford over time.

Flat/Block Legal Fees Vs Hourly Legal Fees

Hourly fees for this kind of defence can vary greatly. The experience and seniority of the lawyer that you are working with will also influence their hourly fees. You will want to work with an experienced and skilled lawyer for this kind of case, but you might need to be realistic about how much you can afford to pay per hour of work on your case.

The Law Society of Ontario has set out a governing fee schedule that does not have to be followed by lawyers, but that is often used as a baseline for the fees that are charged per hour by these professionals. Using this schedule, a senior counsel can charge as much as $350 an hour. Meanwhile, you might pay less than $100 for a junior lawyer or someone who has recently opened up their practice in this space.

Block fees are a solution that many lawyers are turning to in the Ontario area to help clients cover the costs of the legal team that is supporting them through their trial and case processes. These structured fees provide a set base charge for certain kinds of cases and representation, with additional blocks that can be added if the need for specialty services crops up as the case progresses. This is a more transparent billing process for everyone involved, and it helps people seeking representation to be sure that they can afford the lawyer that is taking their case.

Factors That Influence the Costs of Your Block Fee Defence

Case complexity

Simple cases are much easier to defend than cases that involve violence or a very serious crime related to drugs and alcohol, or even murder. You should expect the complexity of your case to add to the chargeable hours that your lawyer needs to be compensated for. When there is a need to bring in expert witnesses, expert testimony, and to collect information from a protracted investigation, these charges can also be added to your tab.

As a rule of thumb, complex cases will almost always go to trial, and this can multiply the cost of your case exponentially. You will need to ask about the cost of your lawyer’s time working on a case that goes to court before you agree to work with the lawyer that you have been chatting with.

Jurisdiction

The jurisdiction that your case needs to be tried in can impact the block fees that you are charged. If you have to pay for travel outside of the office’s local area, this can add to your block fees. Mileage, travel, flights, and more can be covered in a block fee with ease, but they will add quite a bit of cost to your representation needs. You might want to ask your lawyer about this block fee add-on if you think that you will need representation that is going to require travel to be charged to your bill.

Mode of Trial

This is one of the key factors that can cause an increase in your block fees. Your lawyer can advise you about the different costs for trials that have to be heard by the Ontario Court of Justice versus those that will not require a jury or a superior court appearance. The amount of time and effort that goes into cases appearing before the highest court is significant, and the timeframes that can be required to finalize these trials can be quite lengthy as well. Longer trials will be more expensive, and your lawyer cannot promise you that they can predict the length of a trial for more serious charges.

The Seniority of the Lawyer You Hire

High-quality, experienced lawyers charge for their experience in their field. This means that you can expect to pay more for an experienced lawyer than you would for a new associate or someone that has just set up a practice. This factor still applies to block fees, so you will want to be sure that you look at the seniority of your attorney carefully from the standpoint of affordability. Experience is worth it if you have a complex case that involves serious charges, but you do have to be practical about the cost of this representation.

The Average Cost for Criminal Defence in Ontario

The average cost of a criminal lawyer in Ontario is anywhere from $1,500 to $10,000. Cases that must go to trial before a jury can cost twice this much or more. You will need to speak with your lawyer about their fees if you believe that you cannot afford them. It is critical that you find a lawyer that you can afford to have to represent your case.

Working with a skilled lawyer is critical, but being able to afford your lawyer is just as important. At Vilkhov Law, we can help you to understand the cost of your case and make a plan that will work for your budget and the nature of your legal needs. Contact us today for a consultation to see how we can help you with your criminal case.

By |2023-09-12T16:06:20+00:00June 30th, 2022|Criminal Defence|

5/5 - (1 vote)

Criminal Lawyers Association
Toronnto Lawyers Association
Law Society of Ontario
Criminal Lawyers Association
Toronnto Lawyers Association
Law Society of Ontario
Excellent4.9 Based on 99 reviews fromDaniel SlobodkinDaniel Slobodkin ★★★★★ I have known Mr. Vilkhov in a professional and personal capacity for several years. Mr. Vilkhov is a well-respected and devoted criminal lawyer who prioritizes the success and livelihood of his clients. Mr. Vilkhov goes out of his way and makes time, at all times of day, to tend to the needs of his clients. Mr. Vilkhov is a diligent lawyer I would recommend to anyone dealing with a criminal matter. Well-spoken, confident, methodical and professional are qualities that only begin to scratch the surface of Mr. Vilkhov criminal law practice and his character at whole.Amina HuseynovaAmina Huseynova ★★★★★ I've known Igor professionally for a long time, one of the most dedicated criminal lawyers I have met. He gets amazing results for his clients and I would recommend anyone who is looking to hire him.maddy mmaddy m ★★★★★ I am international student in Canada, six months ago I was falsely accused of SA and I was charged. I had never dealt with all this in my life and I started looking for a lawyer. I spoke too more than 50 lawyers all over ontario and every lawyer I spoke to tried to scare me and told me that I am a dead meat here and this thing is definitely going to trial and were only interested in talking about their fees. Mr Vilkhov patiently heard my case and told me that there is a high possibility of getting the case withdrawn . He was straightforward and honest. He convinced me after one call that he is the right lawyer for me to retain. He charged a very reasonable fee which he let me pay in installments. He kept me well informed about my case in every stage. Mr. Vilkhov and Daniel from his team were my constant support. Every message and every phone call was answered.Mr Vilkhov got the charges withdrawn!!! My case was in a jurisdictions were cases like these never get withdrawn. But Mr. Vilkhov gave his best and got the charges withdrawn without any conditions. I cannot thank Vilkhov law professional for giving my life back! Mr. Vilkhov is very knowledgeable and he is the lawyer you need by your side when you need it the most! He wins when you need it the most! Thank you Vilkhov law corporation!Jay ModiJay Modi ★★★★★ Igor and his team exceeded my expectations, efficiently getting all charges dropped in my case. His timely responses, coupled with Daniel's eloquence, made for an exceptional first-time experience with a lawyer. They provided a unique blend of empathy and straightforwardness that instilled confidence throughout the legal process. Highly recommendable for anyone in need of a criminal justice lawyer.Naqib PopalNaqib Popal ★★★★★ I just left Brampton courthouse. I was acquitted of 11 charges after a long trial. Igor Vilkhov absolutely killed it during the entire trial. If it wasn’t for him, I would be going to jail. Thank you so much for your work, you ensured the truth came out. Thank you, you got me my life back.Chad AllanChad Allan ★★★★★ Igor got me an amazing deal, he was always communicating with me and updating me about my case, he got me the deal of a lifetime and I can’t him enough. If you are reading this and you are thinking about who to hire, just call him, he is the right lawyer for you.Jamie LewisJamie Lewis ★★★★★ If you need a lawyer who is actually going to work for you, and get results go with Igor at Vilkhov Law. He was very patient and understanding and knows his stuff. I was facing a huge fine which would have devastated me financially for years to come, but with his passionate submission to crown on my behalf he was able to get the fine reduced by 90%. His colleagues he works with are amazing too. Thank you so much for all of your help through this matter Igor! You truely have saved my future. I appreciate it beyond measure! All the best in the future!Akash TyagiAkash Tyagi ★★★★★ Hi all, When i just came to Canada, i got charged with SA, which was a nightmare for me where my so called friends left my side. Then by luck i got to know Mr. Igor and that day changed everything.Being new in a country could cost me a lot but with Igor’s genuine efforts to help me, saved my life.A big thanks to him and god bless him.Must recommended lawyer.Thanks a ton Igor.❤️ted ferreirated ferreira ★★★★★ I met Igor approximately two years ago when we met with him regarding SA charges against our son. Over that time Igor was always there to answer questions that we had, he was reassuring explaining that we had a strong case.From the beginning we were impressed with Igor's demeanor, he was always calm and to the point, he did his best to keep us on track with the facts.Thanks to Igor's thorough preparation he was able to get the SA charges stayed. I cannot tell you how incredible that feeling was.We owe so much to him.We highly recommend Igor to anyone needing Legal help, he will work tirelessly on your behalf.OKOLI MARKOKOLI MARK ★★★★★ Thank you Igor Vilkhov for helping me go through my legal case from the very beginning to the end. Igor's professional advice and approach to difficult legal matter is excellent and recommended, Case has been withdrawn from court!! 1 million thanks for the support throughout this process 🙏.Laura BeniaLaura Benia ★★★★★ Professional, honest and caring.Zafreenp PZafreenp P ★★★★★ Igor and his staff were amazing. They were quick and very assertive. Highly recommend them.Best OgunpoluBest Ogunpolu ★★★★★ He gave me great service very very great service. He caught my case with John gave me great advice. He was always there for me. Always answer my call and returned back. My call when it was messed. I recommend him he’s a very great lawyer knows what he’s doing.Gnrl_AnesthesiaGnrl_Anesthesia ★★★★★ I cannot express enough gratitude for the exceptional legal support I received from Igor, an extraordinary criminal lawyer who helped me overcome the toughest challenge of my life. His unwavering dedication, profound expertise, and genuine compassion gave me a new lease on life, allowing me to rediscover happiness after a harrowing ordeal.Just a few months ago, my world was turned upside down when I found myself entangled in a web of false accusations. Suddenly, I was thrust into a nightmarish scenario, stripped of my peace, and faced with the daunting reality of three criminal charges looming over me. My life, once filled with joy and contentment, had been shattered.In my darkest hour, I sought solace and hope in the form of legal representation, which is when I was introduced to Igor. From our very first meeting, I was immediately struck by his professionalism, empathy, and genuine concern for my well-being. He attentively listened to my side of the story, displaying not only a deep understanding of the complexities of my situation but also an unwavering belief in my innocence.Throughout the entire legal process, Igor's expertise shone brilliantly. His k