CostGuide

Legal & Financial, District of Columbia

Criminal Defense Attorney cost in Washington, DC

A typical Criminal Defense Attorney figure in Washington is about $6,500 per case, about 30% above the national figure of $5,000.

Typical cost

Typical in Washington

$6,500

per case

Fair price range: $1,950 to $26,000

On the low end
$1,950
On the high end
$26,000

Estimated from national price data, adjusted for the cost of living in Washington. Insurance, coverage, and the details of your situation can change the real number a lot. Not a quote.

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An estimate for planning, not a quote. A local pro prices your actual job.

How prices have moved

Up 3.1%past year

Up 23.9%over five years

How prices for services other than rent have moved nationally, from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index (Services less rent of shelter, CUUR0000SASL2RS), through August 2026. It tracks price change, not the dollar prices on this page.

What moves the price

  1. Charge severity
  2. Trial vs plea
  3. Public vs private
  4. Experience
  5. Investigation

Ways to pay less

  1. Ask about payment plans
  2. Get a written scope
  3. Consider a public defender when appropriate
  4. Do not discuss the case publicly
  5. Request an early case assessment

Criminal Defense Attorney in similar cities

PlaceTypicalRange
Washington, DC$6,500
$1,950 to $26,000
National typical$5,000
$1,500 to $20,000
Irvine, CA$6,500
$1,950 to $26,000
Arlington, VA$6,400
$1,920 to $25,600
Bellevue, WA$6,600
$1,980 to $26,400
Berkeley, CA$6,600
$1,980 to $26,400
Boston, MA$6,600
$1,980 to $26,400

Other Legal & Financial costs in Washington

Criminal Defense Attorney in every cityEverything in WashingtonAll Legal & Financial services

Questions people ask

Criminal Defense Attorney in Washington: what does it cost?

In Washington, DC, Criminal Defense Attorney typically costs about $6,500 per case, with most prices between $1,950 and $26,000.

Why is Washington higher than the national price?

Prices in Washington run about 30% above the national average. This estimate scales the national figure by that difference in local cost of living.

Is this a quote?

No. It is an estimate built from national price data and local cost of living. A local pro will price your actual job.