Facing criminal charges in Iowa can be overwhelming, and one of the first questions many people ask is, “How much is this going to cost me?” Legal fees can vary depending on the type of charge, how complex the case is, and how far it goes in court. Our Iowa Criminal Defense Fee Calculator helps you get a better idea of what your total legal fees might be based on your specific situation.
Here’s a breakdown of what each part of the calculator means, so you can feel more confident using it.
The seriousness of the charge has the biggest impact on legal fees. Simple misdemeanors tend to be the least expensive, while felony charges—especially Class B or Class A felonies—can cost much more. This is because more serious cases require more time, preparation, and strategy. The calculator starts with a base fee depending on the level of offense you select.
Many criminal cases require several court hearings before they’re resolved. These might include arraignments, motion hearings, pretrial conferences, and more. Each of these court dates adds time for your attorney to prepare and appear in court, which affects the overall cost. In Iowa, each court appearance might add several hundred dollars to your total.
Not all cases go to trial. But if your case does, you’ll likely see a major increase in cost. Trial preparation and courtroom time are some of the most expensive parts of criminal defense. If you expect your case to go to trial, include how many days you think it may last. A simple trial may take one or two days. More complex trials could take a week or more.
Sometimes, your defense attorney may need to hire a private investigator, a medical expert, a lab technician, or another professional to support your case. These services come with additional fees. If you’ve already been quoted a number or expect to need outside help, you can enter that cost into the calculator.
If your attorney has already offered you a flat fee or discount for the case, you can include that here. This lets the calculator subtract that amount from the total estimate, giving you a clearer picture of what you might still owe.
After you enter all the information, the calculator gives you a total estimate for your legal fees. This isn’t a final quote from an attorney, but it’s a great way to understand what costs might be involved so you can plan ahead.
In Iowa, criminal charges are divided into three main categories: simple misdemeanors, serious misdemeanors, aggravated misdemeanors, and felonies. The penalties—and the legal work needed—grow more serious with each step. A simple misdemeanor might carry only a fine, while a felony could mean years in prison. That’s why the legal fees vary so much depending on the charge.
Each county in Iowa might have different timelines and court procedures, but all criminal defendants have the right to legal representation. If you can’t afford a lawyer, the court may appoint a public defender. However, if you choose to hire a private attorney, this calculator can help you plan financially.
If you’re facing criminal charges in Iowa, don’t wait. Understanding the cost is just the first step. The most important thing is having the right legal team by your side. Our attorneys at O’Flaherty Law are here to answer your questions and stand with you through every part of your case. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and start building your defense.
When we started our firm in the midst of the recession, we learned to survive in a lean environment and pass the savings on to our clients. As the economy has improved, we have not changed our philosophy. We are hungry to grow our client base, and so we have intentionally set our rates below what the market will bear. Our mission is to make each client walk away feeling that they got more value than they paid for. This is easier to do when we make our prices affordable.
The secret to our success as a firm is incredibly simple: we build a personal relationship with each of our clients and treat them with the respect that they deserve. We pride ourselves on our open lines of communication, frequent check-ins with our clients, and our accessibility. We are here to help you in any way we can, often leveraging our network of resources to assist you with non-legal issues that you may be having. We are your one-stop problem-solver and trusted adviser. All attorneys say that they provide excellent client service, but, unlike other attorneys, we practice what we preach. We make sure every client walks away happy . . . period.
We are your community law firm. Our business is built on long-term relationships with our clients. Our clients have the luxury of building trust over time with one team of attorneys, rather than having to find a new attorney for each different type of matter that arises over the course of their lives. No one attorney can be experienced at everything. That is why we have worked hard to assemble a team of attorneys with extensive experience in different areas of experience. Our attorneys work together closely to bring our collective experience to bear on any issue that may arise for our clients.
Since our business comes entirely from referrals and community involvement, our reputation for quality legal work is our greatest asset . . . and it is extremely important to us. Each of our attorneys is truly experienced in his or her practice areas, with the highest personal standards of excellence. We are proud of our reputation in the community, and we did not achieve it by accident. Our reputation for excellence comes from hard work, continuing education, and an above-and-beyond approach to our clients’ cases.