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Criminal Appeal Lawyer Fees in Modesto

Criminal appeal lawyer fees in Modesto, California average about $20,800 — roughly 104% of the U.S. average and below the California state average of $27,700.

Low
$7,800
Average fee
$20,800
per appeal
High
$52,050

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.

Modesto, CA Intermediate appellate court state

California has an intermediate appellate court that must hear a first appeal from a criminal conviction, with the state’s highest court taking only the cases it chooses. So the appeal you are being quoted for is normally the intermediate one, and 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 California and is short and jurisdictional, so confirm it the day you are sentenced rather than relying on any general figure.

Appeal lawyers in California usually charge one flat fee for the whole appeal, priced on the length of the trial record rather than the seriousness of the charge, and 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, which California sets by rule or statute, so ask for a page-count estimate before comparing quotes. California also sets the filing deadline, the briefing schedule and the rules for bail pending appeal, and 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 Modesto

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

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

How Modesto compares

Average criminal appeal lawyer fees, Modesto vs. California vs. the U.S.

Modesto
$20,800
California
$27,700
U.S. average
$20,000

Modesto comes in about 4% higher than the national average for criminal appeal lawyer fees.

What affects criminal appeal lawyer fees in Modesto

In Modesto, the cost of living sits at 104% of the U.S. average — both of which set the tone for local attorney pricing. 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 Modesto

Fees matter, but the right criminal appeal attorney in Modesto 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 California, not a generalist.
  • Use the free consultation. Most Modesto 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 California 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 Modesto by case type

National benchmarks adjusted by Modesto's cost-of-living index (104). Open a case type for its full Modesto fee breakdown.

Case type How it’s billed Low Average High
Criminal Appeal Flat fee $7,800 $20,800 $52,050
Divorce Flat fee $2,100 $7,800 $20,800
Immigration Flat fee $520 $3,650 $15,600
Real Estate Flat fee $830 $1,550 $3,650
Probate Flat fee $1,550 $4,700 $15,600
Car Accidents Contingency $2,100 $6,250 $15,600
Personal Injury Contingency $3,100 $10,400 $31,250
Patent Flat fee $5,200 $10,400 $18,750
Estate Planning Flat fee $520 $2,100 $5,200
DUI Flat fee $1,550 $4,150 $10,400
Child Support Hourly $1,050 $3,650 $10,400
Criminal Defense Flat fee $1,550 $5,200 $15,600
Child Custody Hourly $2,100 $8,350 $26,050
H-1B Visa Flat fee $2,100 $3,650 $6,250
Trademark Flat fee $620 $1,250 $2,600
Living Trust Flat fee $1,250 $2,600 $5,200
Traffic Ticket Flat fee $100 $310 $780
Family Law Hourly $1,550 $7,300 $20,800
Speeding Ticket Flat fee $100 $310 $780
Bankruptcy Flat fee $1,050 $2,100 $4,700
Pedestrian Accident Contingency $3,650 $12,500 $41,650
Chapter 7 Flat fee $1,050 $1,550 $2,600
Traffic Violation Flat fee $100 $310 $780
Clemency Flat fee $2,100 $6,250 $15,600
Bicycle Accident Contingency $2,600 $8,350 $26,050
Medicaid Planning Flat fee $3,100 $6,750 $15,600
Adoption Flat fee $1,550 $5,200 $15,600
Medical Malpractice Contingency $26,050 $104,100 $364,400
Expungement Flat fee $520 $1,550 $4,150
Workers Compensation Contingency $1,550 $4,150 $10,400
SSDI Contingency $2,100 $4,150 $9,600
Uncontested Divorce Flat fee $520 $1,250 $2,600
Uber Accident Contingency $3,100 $9,350 $34,350
Tax Hourly $1,550 $5,200 $15,600
Rideshare Accident Contingency $3,100 $9,350 $34,350
Eviction Flat fee $520 $1,250 $3,100
Employment Contingency $2,600 $10,400 $41,650
Small Claims Flat fee $100 $520 $1,550
Bus Accident Contingency $4,150 $12,500 $46,850
Pardon Flat fee $1,550 $5,200 $15,600
Disability Contingency $2,100 $4,150 $9,600
Chapter 13 Flat fee $3,100 $4,150 $6,250
Drunk Driving Accident Contingency $4,150 $15,600 $62,450
Defense Flat fee $1,550 $5,200 $15,600
Prenuptial Agreement Flat fee $1,050 $2,600 $7,800
Auto Dealer Fraud Contingency $2,600 $7,800 $26,050
Guardianship Flat fee $1,550 $4,150 $12,500
Closing Flat fee $730 $1,250 $2,600
Social Security Contingency $2,100 $4,150 $9,600
Business Hourly $1,550 $6,250 $26,050
Construction Accident Contingency $12,500 $52,050 $208,200
Alimony Hourly $3,100 $9,350 $26,050
Domestic Violence Flat fee $1,550 $4,150 $12,500
Green Card Flat fee $2,100 $4,150 $8,350
Business Litigation Hourly $15,600 $62,450 $260,250
Police Misconduct Contingency $8,350 $41,650 $260,250
K-1 Visa Flat fee $1,550 $2,600 $4,150
Foreclosure Flat fee $1,550 $3,650 $7,800
Annulment Flat fee $1,050 $3,100 $10,400
Sexual Abuse Contingency $20,800 $88,500 $416,450
Juvenile Flat fee $1,550 $3,650 $10,400
Debt Settlement Contingency $1,050 $3,100 $8,350
Bad Faith Insurance Contingency $8,350 $31,250 $130,150
Lemon Law Contingency $2,100 $5,200 $15,600
Divorce Mediation Hourly $2,600 $5,750 $12,500
Unpaid Wages Contingency $2,100 $8,350 $36,450
Non-Compete Agreement Flat fee $520 $2,600 $52,050
Consumer Protection Contingency $2,100 $5,200 $15,600
Life Insurance Denial Contingency $8,350 $52,050 $208,200
Personal Loan Hourly $520 $2,100 $5,200
Hostile Work Environment Contingency $4,150 $15,600 $67,650
Wrongful Death Contingency $15,600 $62,450 $260,250
Age Discrimination Contingency $5,200 $20,800 $88,500
Construction Defect Hourly $8,350 $46,850 $208,200
Elder Law Hourly $1,550 $5,200 $12,500
Restraining Order Flat fee $1,050 $2,600 $7,800
Debt Collection Defense Flat fee $520 $1,550 $5,200
Visitation Hourly $1,550 $5,200 $20,800
Brain Injury Contingency $20,800 $119,750 $520,550
Power of Attorney Flat fee $210 $420 $1,050
Birth Injury Contingency $104,100 $468,500 $1,561,650
CPS Defense Hourly $2,600 $7,800 $26,050
White Collar Crime Hourly $15,600 $78,100 $416,450
Wrongful Termination Contingency $3,100 $12,500 $46,850
Tenant Hourly $1,050 $2,600 $6,250
EB-2 NIW Flat fee $4,150 $7,300 $12,500
O-1 Visa Flat fee $3,650 $6,250 $10,400
Name Change Flat fee $310 $780 $2,600
F-1 Student Visa Flat fee $780 $1,850 $5,200
Misdemeanor Flat fee $780 $1,550 $3,650
Gun Charges Flat fee $1,550 $6,250 $78,100
Chapter 11 Hourly $26,050 $78,100 $416,450
Citizenship Flat fee $520 $1,050 $2,600
Severance Agreement Flat fee $520 $1,250 $5,200
LLC Formation Flat fee $520 $1,250 $2,600
House Purchase Flat fee $830 $1,350 $2,600
IRS Audit Hourly $1,050 $4,700 $20,800
CDL Ticket Flat fee $420 $940 $2,600
Truck Accident Contingency $5,200 $16,650 $52,050
Defamation Hourly $5,200 $15,600 $52,050
SSI Contingency $1,050 $3,100 $9,600
Surrogacy Flat fee $3,650 $8,350 $15,600
Probation Violation Flat fee $1,050 $2,600 $7,800
HOA Hourly $1,550 $4,150 $10,400
Reckless Driving Flat fee $1,050 $2,600 $5,200
Suspended License Flat fee $780 $1,800 $3,100
Asylum Flat fee $3,100 $6,250 $15,600
Franchise Hourly $2,100 $7,800 $62,450
EB-5 Visa Flat fee $12,500 $26,050 $52,050
Discharge Upgrade Flat fee $1,550 $4,150 $10,400
Copyright Flat fee $310 $1,550 $7,800
ERISA Contingency $3,100 $15,600 $78,100
Driving Without a License Flat fee $260 $620 $1,550
Marriage Green Card Flat fee $1,550 $3,100 $7,800
Hit and Run Accident Contingency $2,600 $8,350 $31,250
Overtime Contingency $2,600 $9,350 $41,650
Timeshare Exit Flat fee $1,550 $4,700 $15,600
Fraud Defense Flat fee $2,600 $7,800 $26,050
Civil Lawsuit Hourly $3,100 $15,600 $52,050
Irrevocable Trust Flat fee $2,600 $6,250 $15,600
Property Tax Appeal Contingency $160 $520 $2,100
Slip and Fall Contingency $4,150 $12,500 $41,650
Special Education Hourly $2,100 $7,800 $26,050
Entertainment Hourly $780 $3,650 $26,050
EB-1 Visa Flat fee $5,200 $9,350 $16,650
Special Needs Trust Flat fee $2,100 $4,700 $10,400
Student Loan Flat fee $780 $2,600 $8,350
Civil Rights Violation Contingency $5,200 $26,050 $156,150
Immigration Bond Flat fee $1,550 $3,100 $6,250
Motorcycle Accident Contingency $3,100 $9,350 $31,250
Dog Attack Injury Contingency $3,100 $10,400 $31,250
Insurance Claim Contingency $2,100 $7,800 $26,050
Discrimination Contingency $3,100 $12,500 $46,850
Professional License Defense Hourly $2,600 $8,350 $26,050
Commercial Real Estate Hourly $2,600 $9,350 $46,850
Intellectual Property Flat fee $520 $2,600 $15,600
Security Clearance Flat fee $2,600 $7,800 $20,800
Deportation Hourly $3,100 $8,350 $20,800
Mesothelioma Contingency $52,050 $364,400 $1,041,100
Trust Administration Hourly $2,600 $6,250 $20,800
Shoplifting Flat fee $780 $1,550 $4,150
Startup Flat fee $2,600 $7,800 $31,250
Burglary Flat fee $3,650 $9,350 $26,050
E-2 Visa Flat fee $3,650 $6,250 $10,400
Partnership Dispute Hourly $20,800 $78,100 $312,350
Mediation Hourly $1,550 $5,200 $15,600
Postnuptial Agreement Flat fee $1,050 $3,100 $9,350
Property Damage Contingency $1,550 $6,250 $20,800
Product Liability Contingency $15,600 $62,450 $260,250
Breach of Contract Hourly $3,100 $20,800 $78,100
Health Insurance Denial Hourly $780 $3,650 $15,600
Paternity Hourly $1,050 $3,100 $12,500
Debt Collector Harassment Contingency $1,550 $4,150 $15,600
Boundary Dispute Hourly $2,600 $12,500 $46,850
Corporate Hourly $3,650 $12,500 $62,450
Whistleblower Contingency $5,200 $20,800 $104,100
Legal Malpractice Contingency $10,400 $41,650 $156,150
Quiet Title Flat fee $1,550 $4,150 $26,050
Construction Hourly $3,650 $26,050 $156,150
Immigration Waiver Flat fee $2,600 $5,200 $10,400
Asset Protection Flat fee $3,100 $8,350 $26,050
Federal Criminal Defense Flat fee $10,400 $36,450 $156,150
Assault Flat fee $1,550 $4,150 $15,600
Contract Review Flat fee $310 $830 $3,100
Landlord Hourly $780 $3,100 $15,600
Unemployment Appeal Flat fee $520 $1,250 $3,650
Legal Separation Hourly $2,600 $8,350 $26,050
Deed Transfer Flat fee $260 $620 $1,850
L-1 Visa Flat fee $3,100 $5,750 $9,350
Contested Divorce Hourly $10,400 $20,800 $52,050
Wage Garnishment Flat fee $420 $1,300 $3,650
Will Flat fee $160 $420 $1,050
Felony Defense Flat fee $3,650 $10,400 $31,250
Drug Possession Flat fee $1,550 $4,150 $15,600
Theft Flat fee $1,050 $3,650 $12,500
House Sale Flat fee $830 $1,450 $2,600
Tax Debt Relief Flat fee $1,050 $3,650 $10,400
VA Disability Contingency $1,550 $5,200 $15,600
Long-Term Disability Contingency $2,600 $8,350 $26,050
Nursing Home Abuse Contingency $15,600 $62,450 $208,200
Sexual Harassment Contingency $5,200 $18,750 $78,100

Criminal appeal lawyer fees in other California cities

Compare local criminal appeal attorney fees across California.

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FAQs - Criminal appeal attorney fees in Modesto

Criminal appeal lawyer fees in Modesto average about $20,800, with a typical range of $7,800 to $52,050. That is roughly 104% of the U.S. average, adjusted for the local cost of living.

Modesto's cost-of-living index is about 104% of the national average, so criminal appeal attorney fees here tend to run 4% 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 Modesto, or enter your ZIP code for a more precise estimate.

We take the national benchmark for criminal appeal cases and adjust it by Modesto's cost-of-living index — about 104% of the U.S. average — giving a local Low, Average, and High of $7,800, $20,800, and $52,050.

Modesto averages about $20,800 for criminal appeal lawyer fees, compared with roughly $27,700 across California and $20,000 nationally.

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

Look for a Modesto attorney who regularly handles criminal appeal cases, check reviews and their standing with the California 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 Modesto criminal appeal matter, always confirm how the costs are handled alongside the fee.

In Modesto, 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 Modesto consultation to weigh it for your situation.

ZIP codes covered

These Modesto criminal appeal fee estimates cover ZIP code 95350.

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.