Criminal Defense Lawyer Fees in North Myrtle Beach
Criminal defense lawyer fees in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina average about $4,700 — roughly 94% of the U.S. average and below the South Carolina state average of $4,750.
What this typically includes
Case review, investigation, pre-trial motions, plea negotiation, and representation at hearings up to (and sometimes including) trial. Court costs, expert witnesses, and a separate trial fee are usually billed on top.
South Carolina has not legalized recreational cannabis, so possession can still be charged as a criminal offense — one reason the stakes and strategy of a drug case depend heavily on where you are.
Criminal defense attorneys in South Carolina usually charge a flat fee for misdemeanors and many felonies, or bill hourly for serious and trial cases. If you cannot afford a lawyer, South Carolina courts must appoint a public defender for any charge that can result in jail time.
Get in touch with a criminal defense lawyer in North Myrtle Beach
Browse these criminal defense attorneys serving North Myrtle Beach. Give a call or request an estimate and connect with local firm that fits your case.
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How North Myrtle Beach compares
Average criminal defense lawyer fees, North Myrtle Beach vs. South Carolina vs. the U.S.
North Myrtle Beach runs about 6% lower than the national average for criminal defense lawyer fees.
What affects criminal defense lawyer fees in North Myrtle Beach
In North Myrtle Beach, the cost of living sits at 94% of the U.S. average — both of which shape what local attorneys charge. Beyond location, these factors drive criminal defense lawyer fees:
- Charge severity — Felonies carry far more exposure and cost more to defend than misdemeanors.
- Trial vs. plea — A case taken to trial costs much more than one resolved by plea.
- Case complexity — Multiple charges, codefendants, or extensive evidence add hours.
- Attorney experience — Specialists and former prosecutors command higher fees.
- Evidence & experts — Forensic experts, investigators, and lab analysis add costs.
- Jurisdiction — Local court practice and a state’s penalties shape the work involved.
How to choose a criminal defense lawyer in North Myrtle Beach
Fees matter, but the right criminal defense attorney in North Myrtle Beach also saves you time and improves your outcome. Before you hire:
- Confirm the fee structure. Criminal defense 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 defense experience. Choose an attorney who regularly handles criminal defense cases in South Carolina, not a generalist.
- Use the free consultation. Most North Myrtle Beach criminal defense 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 South Carolina 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 defense case?
Average attorney fees in North Myrtle Beach by case type
National benchmarks adjusted by North Myrtle Beach's cost-of-living index (94). Open a case type for its full North Myrtle Beach fee breakdown.
| Case type | How it’s billed | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Car Accidents | Contingency | $1,850 | $5,600 | $14,050 |
| Divorce | Flat fee | $1,850 | $7,000 | $18,750 |
| Real Estate | Flat fee | $750 | $1,400 | $3,300 |
| Personal Injury | Contingency | $2,800 | $9,350 | $28,100 |
| Bankruptcy | Flat fee | $940 | $1,850 | $4,200 |
| Criminal Defense | Flat fee | $1,400 | $4,700 | $14,050 |
| Immigration | Flat fee | $940 | $3,300 | $9,350 |
| Disability | Contingency | $1,850 | $3,750 | $8,600 |
| Probate | Flat fee | $1,400 | $4,200 | $14,050 |
| Truck Accident | Contingency | $4,700 | $15,000 | $46,800 |
| Motorcycle Accident | Contingency | $2,800 | $8,450 | $28,100 |
| Bicycle Accident | Contingency | $2,350 | $7,500 | $23,400 |
| Uber Accident | Contingency | $2,800 | $8,450 | $30,900 |
| Property Damage | Contingency | $1,400 | $5,600 | $18,750 |
| Dog Attack Injury | Contingency | $2,800 | $9,350 | $28,100 |
| Insurance Claim | Contingency | $1,850 | $7,000 | $23,400 |
| Wrongful Death | Contingency | $14,050 | $56,200 | $234,100 |
| Uncontested Divorce | Flat fee | $470 | $1,100 | $2,350 |
| Family Law | Hourly | $1,400 | $6,550 | $18,750 |
| Child Custody | Hourly | $1,850 | $7,500 | $23,400 |
| Adoption | Flat fee | $1,400 | $4,700 | $14,050 |
| Prenuptial Agreement | Flat fee | $940 | $2,350 | $7,000 |
| Child Support | Hourly | $940 | $3,300 | $9,350 |
| Domestic Violence | Flat fee | $1,400 | $3,750 | $11,250 |
| Restraining Order | Flat fee | $940 | $2,350 | $7,000 |
| Guardianship | Flat fee | $1,400 | $3,750 | $11,250 |
| Surrogacy | Flat fee | $3,300 | $7,500 | $14,050 |
| Power of Attorney | Flat fee | $190 | $370 | $940 |
| Estate Planning | Flat fee | $470 | $1,850 | $4,700 |
| Living Trust | Flat fee | $1,100 | $2,350 | $4,700 |
| Elder Law | Hourly | $1,400 | $4,700 | $11,250 |
| Will | Flat fee | $140 | $370 | $940 |
| Defense | Flat fee | $1,400 | $4,700 | $14,050 |
| DUI | Flat fee | $1,400 | $3,750 | $9,350 |
| Pardon | Flat fee | $1,400 | $4,700 | $14,050 |
| Expungement | Flat fee | $470 | $1,400 | $3,750 |
| Juvenile | Flat fee | $1,400 | $3,300 | $9,350 |
| Felony Defense | Flat fee | $3,300 | $9,350 | $28,100 |
| Clemency | Flat fee | $1,850 | $5,600 | $14,050 |
| Probation Violation | Flat fee | $940 | $2,350 | $7,000 |
| Misdemeanor | Flat fee | $700 | $1,400 | $3,300 |
| Security Clearance | Flat fee | $2,350 | $7,000 | $18,750 |
| Discharge Upgrade | Flat fee | $1,400 | $3,750 | $9,350 |
| H-1B Visa | Flat fee | $1,850 | $3,300 | $5,600 |
| Green Card | Flat fee | $1,850 | $3,750 | $7,500 |
| Citizenship | Flat fee | $470 | $940 | $2,350 |
| EB-2 NIW | Flat fee | $3,750 | $6,550 | $11,250 |
| K-1 Visa | Flat fee | $1,400 | $2,350 | $3,750 |
| E-2 Visa | Flat fee | $3,300 | $5,600 | $9,350 |
| Deportation | Hourly | $2,800 | $7,500 | $18,750 |
| O-1 Visa | Flat fee | $3,300 | $5,600 | $9,350 |
| Closing | Flat fee | $660 | $1,100 | $2,350 |
| House Purchase | Flat fee | $750 | $1,200 | $2,350 |
| Eviction | Flat fee | $470 | $1,100 | $2,800 |
| Property Tax Appeal | Contingency | $140 | $470 | $1,850 |
| Foreclosure | Flat fee | $1,400 | $3,300 | $7,000 |
| HOA | Hourly | $1,400 | $3,750 | $9,350 |
| Tenant | Hourly | $940 | $2,350 | $5,600 |
| Chapter 7 | Flat fee | $940 | $1,400 | $2,350 |
| Chapter 13 | Flat fee | $2,800 | $3,750 | $5,600 |
| Personal Loan | Hourly | $470 | $1,850 | $4,700 |
| Debt Settlement | Contingency | $940 | $2,800 | $7,500 |
| SSDI | Contingency | $1,850 | $3,750 | $8,600 |
| Social Security | Contingency | $1,850 | $3,750 | $8,600 |
| VA Disability | Contingency | $1,400 | $4,700 | $14,050 |
| Long-Term Disability | Contingency | $2,350 | $7,500 | $23,400 |
| Traffic Ticket | Flat fee | $94 | $280 | $700 |
| Speeding Ticket | Flat fee | $94 | $280 | $700 |
| Traffic Violation | Flat fee | $94 | $280 | $700 |
| Reckless Driving | Flat fee | $940 | $2,350 | $4,700 |
| Suspended License | Flat fee | $700 | $1,650 | $2,800 |
| Patent | Flat fee | $4,700 | $9,350 | $16,850 |
| Trademark | Flat fee | $560 | $1,100 | $2,350 |
| Workers Compensation | Contingency | $1,400 | $3,750 | $9,350 |
| Small Claims | Flat fee | $94 | $470 | $1,400 |
| Civil Lawsuit | Hourly | $2,800 | $14,050 | $46,800 |
| Consumer Protection | Contingency | $1,850 | $4,700 | $14,050 |
| Lemon Law | Contingency | $1,850 | $4,700 | $14,050 |
| Defamation | Hourly | $4,700 | $14,050 | $46,800 |
| Employment | Contingency | $2,350 | $9,350 | $37,450 |
| Discrimination | Contingency | $2,800 | $11,250 | $42,150 |
| Wrongful Termination | Contingency | $2,800 | $11,250 | $42,150 |
| Whistleblower | Contingency | $4,700 | $18,750 | $93,650 |
| Tax | Hourly | $1,400 | $4,700 | $14,050 |
| Business | Hourly | $1,400 | $5,600 | $23,400 |
| Medical Malpractice | Contingency | $23,400 | $93,650 | $327,750 |
| SSI | Contingency | $940 | $2,800 | $8,600 |
| Asylum | Flat fee | $2,800 | $5,600 | $14,050 |
| Marriage Green Card | Flat fee | $1,400 | $2,800 | $7,000 |
| Slip and Fall | Contingency | $3,750 | $11,250 | $37,450 |
| Mesothelioma | Contingency | $46,800 | $327,750 | $936,400 |
| Product Liability | Contingency | $14,050 | $56,200 | $234,100 |
| Breach of Contract | Hourly | $2,800 | $18,750 | $70,250 |
| Federal Criminal Defense | Flat fee | $9,350 | $32,750 | $140,450 |
| Assault | Flat fee | $1,400 | $3,750 | $14,050 |
| Contract Review | Flat fee | $280 | $750 | $2,800 |
| Landlord | Hourly | $700 | $2,800 | $14,050 |
| Contested Divorce | Hourly | $9,350 | $18,750 | $46,800 |
| Drug Possession | Flat fee | $1,400 | $3,750 | $14,050 |
| Theft | Flat fee | $940 | $3,300 | $11,250 |
| House Sale | Flat fee | $750 | $1,300 | $2,350 |
Criminal defense lawyer fees in other South Carolina cities
Compare local criminal defense attorney fees across South Carolina.
FAQs - Criminal defense attorney fees in North Myrtle Beach
Criminal defense lawyer fees in North Myrtle Beach average about $4,700, with a typical range of $1,400 to $14,050. That is roughly 94% of the U.S. average, adjusted for the local cost of living.
North Myrtle Beach's cost-of-living index is about 94% of the national average, so criminal defense attorney fees here tend to run 6% lower 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 defense attorney in North Myrtle Beach, or enter your ZIP code for a more precise estimate.
We take the national benchmark for criminal defense cases and adjust it by North Myrtle Beach's cost-of-living index — about 94% of the U.S. average — giving a local Low, Average, and High of $1,400, $4,700, and $14,050.
North Myrtle Beach averages about $4,700 for criminal defense lawyer fees, compared with roughly $4,750 across South Carolina and $5,000 nationally.
Many criminal defense attorneys in North Myrtle Beach offer a free initial consultation to review your case before you commit. Check each firm's listing above for details.
Look for a North Myrtle Beach attorney who regularly handles criminal defense cases, check reviews and their standing with the South Carolina 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 North Myrtle Beach criminal defense matter, always confirm how the costs are handled alongside the fee.
In North Myrtle Beach, criminal defense 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 defense 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 North Myrtle Beach consultation to weigh it for your situation.
ZIP codes covered
These North Myrtle Beach criminal defense fee estimates span ZIP code 29582.
Last updated Sep 28, 2026 · Fee figures are local averages for informational purposes only and are not legal advice or a quote. See how we estimate fees.