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Criminal Appeal Lawyer Fees in Durham

Criminal appeal lawyer fees in Durham, Pennsylvania average about $20,350 — roughly 102% of the U.S. average and in line with the Pennsylvania state average of $20,350.

Low
$7,650
Average fee
$20,350
per appeal
High
$50,850

What this typically includes

Ordering and reading the full record, identifying which issues were preserved, researching and writing the opening and reply briefs, oral argument where it is granted, and a motion for bail pending appeal where that is available. The transcript, the appellate filing fee, a petition for discretionary review, and any later post-conviction or habeas petition are normally separate.

Durham, PA Intermediate appellate court state

Pennsylvania has an intermediate appellate court that must hear a first appeal from a criminal conviction. The state’s highest court takes only the cases it chooses.

So the appeal you are being quoted for is normally the intermediate one. A later petition asking the highest court to review it is a separate engagement at a separate fee.

The deadline to file the notice of appeal is set by Pennsylvania, and is short and jurisdictional. Confirm it the day you are sentenced rather than relying on any general figure.

Appeal lawyers in Pennsylvania usually charge one flat fee for the whole appeal. It is priced on the length of the trial record rather than the seriousness of the charge. They bill hourly where the length of the record is unknown at the outset.

The transcript is a separate cost the appellant normally bears, at the court reporter’s per-page rate. Pennsylvania sets that rate by rule or statute, so ask for a page-count estimate before comparing quotes.

Pennsylvania also sets the filing deadline, the briefing schedule and the rules for bail pending appeal. An indigent defendant is generally entitled to appointed appellate counsel and a transcript at public expense on a first appeal.

Get in touch with a criminal appeal lawyer in Durham

Browse these criminal appeal attorneys serving Durham. Give a call or request an estimate and connect with local firm that fits your case.

We’re still adding criminal appeal attorneys in Durham. Request a case evaluation and we’ll connect you with a local firm.

About Durham, PA

268
Law firms in the Durham area

With a cost-of-living index of 102% of the U.S. average, criminal appeal attorney fees in Durham typically run 2% higher than the national norm. The Durham area supports roughly 268 law firms, so clients have a competitive local market to choose from.

How Durham compares

Average criminal appeal lawyer fees, Durham vs. Pennsylvania vs. the U.S.

Durham
$20,350
Pennsylvania
$20,350
U.S. average
$20,000

Durham sits about 2% higher than the national average for criminal appeal lawyer fees.

What affects criminal appeal lawyer fees in Durham

In Durham, the cost of living comes in at 102% of the U.S. average — both of which influence what local attorneys charge. Beyond location, these factors drive criminal appeal lawyer fees:

  • Length of the record — Every page of the transcript has to be read, so page count drives both the fee and the transcript bill.
  • Preserved issues — A record with several well-preserved errors takes far more briefing than one with a single narrow issue.
  • Court and stage — The first appeal, a petition for discretionary review, and a federal appeal are priced as separate engagements.
  • Attorney experience — Appellate specialists and former judicial clerks charge more than general criminal practitioners.
  • Transcript and filing costs — Court-reporter page rates and the appellate filing fee are case costs billed on top of the fee.
  • Local appellate rates — Fees track the market where the appellate court sits, much as trial-level rates do.

How to choose a criminal appeal lawyer in Durham

Fees matter, but the right criminal appeal attorney in Durham also protects both your time and your result. Before you hire:

  • Confirm the fee structure. Criminal appeal matters are usually a flat fee — one agreed price for the work. Get it in writing before you sign — our flat fees guide explains exactly what to look for.
  • Look for criminal appeal experience. Choose an attorney who regularly handles criminal appeal cases in Pennsylvania, not a generalist.
  • Use the free consultation. Most Durham criminal appeal attorneys review your case at no cost — use it to compare two or three.
  • Verify licensing. Confirm the attorney is licensed and in good standing with the Pennsylvania state bar.
  • Clarify what's included. Ask which case costs are separate from the fee and how they are billed — see attorney fees vs. case costs.

Need help with your criminal appeal case?

Average attorney fees in Durham by case type

National benchmarks adjusted by Durham's cost-of-living index (102). Open a case type for its full Durham fee breakdown.

Case type How it’s billed Low Average High
Criminal Appeal Flat fee $7,650 $20,350 $50,850
Divorce Flat fee $2,050 $7,650 $20,350
Immigration Flat fee $510 $3,550 $15,250
Real Estate Flat fee $810 $1,550 $3,550
Probate Flat fee $1,550 $4,600 $15,250
Car Accidents Contingency $2,050 $6,100 $15,250
Personal Injury Contingency $3,050 $10,150 $30,500
Patent Flat fee $5,100 $10,150 $18,300
Estate Planning Flat fee $510 $2,050 $5,100
DUI Flat fee $1,550 $4,050 $10,150
Child Support Hourly $1,000 $3,550 $10,150
Criminal Defense Flat fee $1,550 $5,100 $15,250
Child Custody Hourly $2,050 $8,150 $25,450
H-1B Visa Flat fee $2,050 $3,550 $6,100
Trademark Flat fee $610 $1,200 $2,550
Living Trust Flat fee $1,200 $2,550 $5,100
Traffic Ticket Flat fee $100 $310 $760
Family Law Hourly $1,550 $7,100 $20,350
Speeding Ticket Flat fee $100 $310 $760
Bankruptcy Flat fee $1,000 $2,050 $4,600
Premises Liability Contingency $5,600 $17,800 $81,350
Pedestrian Accident Contingency $3,550 $12,200 $40,700
Chapter 7 Flat fee $1,000 $1,550 $2,550
Traffic Violation Flat fee $100 $310 $760
Clemency Flat fee $2,050 $6,100 $15,250
Bicycle Accident Contingency $2,550 $8,150 $25,450
Medicaid Planning Flat fee $3,050 $6,600 $15,250
Adoption Flat fee $1,550 $5,100 $15,250
Medical Malpractice Contingency $25,450 $101,700 $355,950
Expungement Flat fee $510 $1,550 $4,050
Workers Compensation Contingency $1,550 $4,050 $10,150
SSDI Contingency $2,050 $4,050 $9,350
Uncontested Divorce Flat fee $510 $1,200 $2,550
Uber Accident Contingency $3,050 $9,150 $33,550
Tax Hourly $1,550 $5,100 $15,250
Rideshare Accident Contingency $3,050 $9,150 $33,550
Eviction Flat fee $510 $1,200 $3,050
Employment Contingency $2,550 $10,150 $40,700
Small Claims Flat fee $100 $510 $1,550
Bus Accident Contingency $4,050 $12,200 $45,750
Pardon Flat fee $1,550 $5,100 $15,250
Disability Contingency $2,050 $4,050 $9,350
Chapter 13 Flat fee $3,050 $4,050 $6,100
Drunk Driving Accident Contingency $4,050 $15,250 $61,000
Defense Flat fee $1,550 $5,100 $15,250
Prenuptial Agreement Flat fee $1,000 $2,550 $7,650
Auto Dealer Fraud Contingency $2,550 $7,650 $25,450
Guardianship Flat fee $1,550 $4,050 $12,200
Closing Flat fee $710 $1,200 $2,550
Social Security Contingency $2,050 $4,050 $9,350
Business Hourly $1,550 $6,100 $25,450
Construction Accident Contingency $12,200 $50,850 $203,400
Alimony Hourly $3,050 $9,150 $25,450
Domestic Violence Flat fee $1,550 $4,050 $12,200
Green Card Flat fee $2,050 $4,050 $8,150
Business Litigation Hourly $15,250 $61,000 $254,250
Police Misconduct Contingency $8,150 $40,700 $254,250
K-1 Visa Flat fee $1,550 $2,550 $4,050
Foreclosure Flat fee $1,550 $3,550 $7,650
Annulment Flat fee $1,000 $3,050 $10,150
Sexual Abuse Contingency $20,350 $86,450 $406,800
Juvenile Flat fee $1,550 $3,550 $10,150
Debt Settlement Contingency $1,000 $3,050 $8,150
Bad Faith Insurance Contingency $8,150 $30,500 $127,150
Lemon Law Contingency $2,050 $5,100 $15,250
Divorce Mediation Hourly $2,550 $5,600 $12,200
Unpaid Wages Contingency $2,050 $8,150 $35,600
Non-Compete Agreement Flat fee $510 $2,550 $50,850
Consumer Protection Contingency $2,050 $5,100 $15,250
Life Insurance Denial Contingency $8,150 $50,850 $203,400
Personal Loan Hourly $510 $2,050 $5,100
Hostile Work Environment Contingency $4,050 $15,250 $66,100
Wrongful Death Contingency $15,250 $61,000 $254,250
Age Discrimination Contingency $5,100 $20,350 $86,450
Construction Defect Hourly $8,150 $45,750 $203,400
Elder Law Hourly $1,550 $5,100 $12,200
Restraining Order Flat fee $1,000 $2,550 $7,650
Debt Collection Defense Flat fee $510 $1,550 $5,100
Visitation Hourly $1,550 $5,100 $20,350
Brain Injury Contingency $20,350 $116,950 $508,500
Power of Attorney Flat fee $200 $410 $1,000
Birth Injury Contingency $101,700 $457,650 $1,525,500
CPS Defense Hourly $2,550 $7,650 $25,450
White Collar Crime Hourly $15,250 $76,300 $406,800
Wrongful Termination Contingency $3,050 $12,200 $45,750
Tenant Hourly $1,000 $2,550 $6,100
EB-2 NIW Flat fee $4,050 $7,100 $12,200
O-1 Visa Flat fee $3,550 $6,100 $10,150
Name Change Flat fee $310 $760 $2,550
F-1 Student Visa Flat fee $760 $1,850 $5,100
Misdemeanor Flat fee $760 $1,550 $3,550
Gun Charges Flat fee $1,550 $6,100 $76,300
Chapter 11 Hourly $25,450 $76,300 $406,800
Citizenship Flat fee $510 $1,000 $2,550
Severance Agreement Flat fee $510 $1,200 $5,100
LLC Formation Flat fee $510 $1,200 $2,550
House Purchase Flat fee $810 $1,300 $2,550
IRS Audit Hourly $1,000 $4,600 $20,350
CDL Ticket Flat fee $410 $920 $2,550
Truck Accident Contingency $5,100 $16,250 $50,850
Defamation Hourly $5,100 $15,250 $50,850
SSI Contingency $1,000 $3,050 $9,350
Surrogacy Flat fee $3,550 $8,150 $15,250
Probation Violation Flat fee $1,000 $2,550 $7,650
HOA Hourly $1,550 $4,050 $10,150
Reckless Driving Flat fee $1,000 $2,550 $5,100
Suspended License Flat fee $760 $1,800 $3,050
Asylum Flat fee $3,050 $6,100 $15,250
Franchise Hourly $2,050 $7,650 $61,000
EB-5 Visa Flat fee $12,200 $25,450 $50,850
Discharge Upgrade Flat fee $1,550 $4,050 $10,150
Copyright Flat fee $310 $1,550 $7,650
ERISA Contingency $3,050 $15,250 $76,300
Driving Without a License Flat fee $250 $610 $1,550
Marriage Green Card Flat fee $1,550 $3,050 $7,650
Hit and Run Accident Contingency $2,550 $8,150 $30,500
Overtime Contingency $2,550 $9,150 $40,700
Timeshare Exit Flat fee $1,550 $4,600 $15,250
Fraud Defense Flat fee $2,550 $7,650 $25,450
Civil Lawsuit Hourly $3,050 $15,250 $50,850
Irrevocable Trust Flat fee $2,550 $6,100 $15,250
Property Tax Appeal Contingency $150 $510 $2,050
Slip and Fall Contingency $4,050 $12,200 $40,700
Special Education Hourly $2,050 $7,650 $25,450
Entertainment Hourly $760 $3,550 $25,450
EB-1 Visa Flat fee $5,100 $9,150 $16,250
Special Needs Trust Flat fee $2,050 $4,600 $10,150
Student Loan Flat fee $760 $2,550 $8,150
Civil Rights Violation Contingency $5,100 $25,450 $152,550
Immigration Bond Flat fee $1,550 $3,050 $6,100
Motorcycle Accident Contingency $3,050 $9,150 $30,500
Dog Attack Injury Contingency $3,050 $10,150 $30,500
Insurance Claim Contingency $2,050 $7,650 $25,450
Discrimination Contingency $3,050 $12,200 $45,750
Professional License Defense Hourly $2,550 $8,150 $25,450
Commercial Real Estate Hourly $2,550 $9,150 $45,750
Intellectual Property Flat fee $510 $2,550 $15,250
Security Clearance Flat fee $2,550 $7,650 $20,350
Deportation Hourly $3,050 $8,150 $20,350
Mesothelioma Contingency $50,850 $355,950 $1,017,000
Trust Administration Hourly $2,550 $6,100 $20,350
Shoplifting Flat fee $760 $1,550 $4,050
Startup Flat fee $2,550 $7,650 $30,500
Burglary Flat fee $3,550 $9,150 $25,450
E-2 Visa Flat fee $3,550 $6,100 $10,150
Partnership Dispute Hourly $20,350 $76,300 $305,100
Mediation Hourly $1,550 $5,100 $15,250
Postnuptial Agreement Flat fee $1,000 $3,050 $9,150
Property Damage Contingency $1,550 $6,100 $20,350
Product Liability Contingency $15,250 $61,000 $254,250
Breach of Contract Hourly $3,050 $20,350 $76,300
Health Insurance Denial Hourly $760 $3,550 $15,250
Paternity Hourly $1,000 $3,050 $12,200
Debt Collector Harassment Contingency $1,550 $4,050 $15,250
Boundary Dispute Hourly $2,550 $12,200 $45,750
Corporate Hourly $3,550 $12,200 $61,000
Whistleblower Contingency $5,100 $20,350 $101,700
Legal Malpractice Contingency $10,150 $40,700 $152,550
Quiet Title Flat fee $1,550 $4,050 $25,450
Construction Hourly $3,550 $25,450 $152,550
Immigration Waiver Flat fee $2,550 $5,100 $10,150
Asset Protection Flat fee $3,050 $8,150 $25,450
Federal Criminal Defense Flat fee $10,150 $35,600 $152,550
Assault Flat fee $1,550 $4,050 $15,250
Contract Review Flat fee $310 $810 $3,050
Landlord Hourly $760 $3,050 $15,250
Unemployment Appeal Flat fee $510 $1,200 $3,550
Legal Separation Hourly $2,550 $8,150 $25,450
Deed Transfer Flat fee $250 $610 $1,850
L-1 Visa Flat fee $3,050 $5,600 $9,150
Security Deposit Flat fee $410 $1,000 $3,050
Custody Modification Hourly $1,850 $6,100 $22,350
Work Permit Flat fee $460 $970 $2,250
Employment Contract Flat fee $610 $1,650 $4,600
Civil Appeal Flat fee $8,150 $22,350 $61,000
Contested Divorce Hourly $10,150 $20,350 $50,850
Wage Garnishment Flat fee $410 $1,250 $3,550
Stepparent Adoption Flat fee $1,550 $2,550 $8,150
Mergers and Acquisitions Hourly $7,650 $25,450 $101,700
Retaliation Contingency $4,600 $16,250 $71,200
Murder Flat fee $25,450 $76,300 $254,250
DACA Flat fee $510 $1,200 $3,050
Mass Tort Contingency $8,150 $35,600 $152,550
Will Contest Hourly $6,100 $25,450 $101,700
Loan Modification Flat fee $760 $2,050 $5,100
Business Sale Flat fee $4,050 $9,650 $30,500
Nonprofit Formation Flat fee $1,550 $3,800 $8,650
Will Flat fee $150 $410 $1,000
Felony Defense Flat fee $3,550 $10,150 $30,500
Drug Possession Flat fee $1,550 $4,050 $15,250
Theft Flat fee $1,000 $3,550 $12,200
House Sale Flat fee $810 $1,400 $2,550
Tax Debt Relief Flat fee $1,000 $3,550 $10,150
Disability Discrimination Contingency $3,550 $14,250 $61,000
Commercial Lease Flat fee $1,200 $3,550 $12,200
Bail Hearing Flat fee $810 $2,300 $5,100
Credit Report Errors Contingency $3,050 $7,650 $28,500
Removal of Conditions Flat fee $1,000 $2,250 $6,100
Family-Based Petition Flat fee $920 $1,850 $4,050
Hurricane Damage Claim Contingency $3,550 $13,200 $45,750
VA Disability Contingency $1,550 $5,100 $15,250
Long-Term Disability Contingency $2,550 $8,150 $25,450
Nursing Home Abuse Contingency $15,250 $61,000 $203,400
Sexual Harassment Contingency $5,100 $18,300 $76,300
Spinal Cord Injury Contingency $30,500 $152,550 $762,750
Elder Abuse Contingency $12,200 $42,700 $142,400
Drug Trafficking Flat fee $12,200 $40,700 $178,000
Child Support Modification Flat fee $920 $2,450 $6,900
Sex Crime Defense Flat fee $14,250 $48,800 $193,250

Criminal appeal lawyer fees in other Pennsylvania cities

Compare local criminal appeal attorney fees across Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia Zionsville Riegelsville Pittsburgh Easton Braddock Fountainville Ambridge Crescent Royersford Oley Warren

FAQs - Criminal appeal attorney fees in Durham

Criminal appeal lawyer fees in Durham average about $20,350, with a typical range of $7,650 to $50,850. That is roughly 102% of the U.S. average, adjusted for the local cost of living.

Durham's cost-of-living index is about 102% of the national average, so criminal appeal attorney fees here tend to run 2% higher than the U.S. norm.

The figures here are local averages. For a number tied to your specific situation, request a free match with a criminal appeal attorney in Durham, or enter your ZIP code for a more precise estimate.

We take the national benchmark for criminal appeal cases and adjust it by Durham's cost-of-living index — about 102% of the U.S. average — giving a local Low, Average, and High of $7,650, $20,350, and $50,850.

Durham averages about $20,350 for criminal appeal lawyer fees, compared with roughly $20,350 across Pennsylvania and $20,000 nationally.

Many criminal appeal attorneys in Durham offer a free initial consultation to review your case before you commit. Check each firm's listing above for details.

Look for a Durham attorney who regularly handles criminal appeal cases, check reviews and their standing with the Pennsylvania state bar, and use free consultations to compare a few before you decide.

Attorney fees pay for the lawyer's time and skill, while case costs are separate out-of-pocket expenses such as filing fees, records, and expert witnesses. In a Durham criminal appeal matter, always confirm how the costs are handled alongside the fee.

In Durham, criminal appeal lawyer fees are typically paid as a single flat fee agreed up front. Case costs are usually billed separately from the fee.

For most criminal appeal matters, yes — the right attorney can improve your outcome by more than the fee, and many work on terms that limit your risk. Use a free Durham consultation to weigh it for your situation.

ZIP codes covered

These Durham criminal appeal fee estimates apply to ZIP code 18039.

Last updated Oct 1, 2026 · Fee figures are local averages for informational purposes only and are not legal advice or a quote. See how we estimate fees.