How Much To Pay A Lawyer For Defense In Shoplifting

**scaredtobits** · 08-03-2006, 01:34 PM

Hi. I have been charged with a shoflifting charge at Kohls, this is a first offence & i was arrested under a disorderly persons offence. My court date is in a few days. I guess i should hire a lawyer to represent me. I wanted to know how much i should pay him? I have talked to a few so far & they are charging anything from $750-$1500. Most lawyers say that they will charge a flat fee to get the case resolved, unless it goes to trail. Since this is a first offence & is a disorderly persons offence, they do not expect it to go to trail. Should i hire one of these lawyers, or should i try to plea on my own? This happened in West Windsor township, NJ and after i was stopped by LP , the police came & made an arrest & took me to the Police Station. I want this resolved in the best way possible! Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!

**Mr. Knowitall** · 08-04-2006, 11:21 AM

Legal charges vary by region - $750 - $1,500 doesn't sound out-of-line.

**scaredtobits** · 08-04-2006, 01:51 PM

wow, thats a lot of money to just prepare a case, ask for discovery & then go to court maybe once. This is NJ, so guess lawyers are more expensive. thanks, i will have to engage one fast.