If you’re facing criminal charges in Wisconsin, one of your first questions is probably: “How much is this going to cost me?” While no two cases are the same, our Wisconsin Criminal Defense Fee Calculator gives you a realistic estimate based on your situation. Below, we’ll walk through what goes into the cost and how the calculator works.
Fees depend on:
Attorneys in larger cities like Milwaukee or Madison often charge more than those in smaller towns or rural counties. And cases that go to trial or involve multiple charges are generally more expensive than quick plea deals.
Let’s break down what you’ll enter into the calculator and why it matters.
You’ll choose between Misdemeanor or Felony. Misdemeanors are less serious and generally cost less to defend. Felonies carry heavier consequences and usually involve more preparation, which increases the cost.
Some cases are straightforward—maybe it’s a first offense with clear evidence and a simple resolution. Others involve multiple charges, long investigations or the need for motions and hearings. Select Simple if you expect a quick resolution, or Complex if your case might be contested, go to trial or involve multiple legal issues.
Each time your attorney shows up in court, it takes time and planning. A simple case may involve just a few hearings, while more serious cases can include a dozen or more. Enter how many court dates you expect—or ask your attorney for an estimate.
This is the average cost you expect to pay your attorney per hearing. In Wisconsin, this can range from $150 to $400 depending on the attorney and the court location.
If your case involves technical issues, like accident reconstruction, financial analysis or witness credibility, you may need outside help. Enter the estimated cost of hiring these professionals, if needed.
Once you enter your information, the calculator gives you an estimated total cost for your criminal defense case. This isn’t a quote—it’s a rough estimate to help you plan and have a better conversation with your attorney.
The number you see includes:
Knowing the estimated cost of your defense helps you:
Even if you’re eligible for a public defender, knowing what a private defense might cost gives you more insight into the process.
Facing criminal charges in Wisconsin? You don’t have to go through it alone. Our team at O’Flaherty Law will walk you through the process, protect your rights and give you clear guidance every step of the way. Contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation—we’ll help you understand your options and get the best possible result.
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.