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Got a free consultation call from a traffic lawyer who quoted me $500, then found a different one through a friend who only charged $200 for the same DUI case in Riverside
Used to just call the first lawyer listed on Google, but now I check with three lawyers in San Bernardino County before signing anything and always ask for a flat fee breakdown upfront has anyone else noticed huge price differences between firms for the same basic court appearance?
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ericschmidt6d ago
Wait no @emerycarr is right about public defenders knowing the judges, but did that $200 lawyer give you a clear contract about what happens if your case goes past one court appearance? I got burned once where my cheap lawyer charged extra for every continuance and motion filing, ended up costing me nearly as much as the expensive guy would have. Is their flat fee actually flat for everything or just the first arraignment?
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gray_schmidt82mo ago
See, I actually think that $500 lawyer might be better long term even though it hurts up front. Cheaper attorneys often overload their caseloads and you end up with a paralegal handling everything while you overpay for basic mistakes. A flat fee that seems high now could save you thousands if they actually keep you out of jail or get your charges reduced.
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