Felony Defense Attorney Fees in Boston
Felony defense lawyer fees in Boston, Massachusetts average about $14,850 — roughly 148% of the U.S. average and in line with the Massachusetts state average of $14,850.
What this typically includes
Case review, investigation, the grand jury or preliminary hearing, pre-trial motions (including suppression), plea negotiation, and representation through resolution. A trial, court costs, private investigators, and expert witnesses are usually billed separately.
Massachusetts has a formal three-strikes law that can impose a life (or 25-to-life) sentence on a third serious or violent felony, so prior convictions can dramatically raise the stakes of a new felony charge here.
Felony defense attorneys in Massachusetts usually charge a flat fee for a case resolved by plea and bill hourly for trials, and prior convictions can sharply increase both the exposure and the work. Massachusetts sets the felony classes, sentencing ranges, and enhancements — which change and are often severe — so confirm them locally. A public defender is available if you cannot afford a lawyer.
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About Boston, MA
With a cost-of-living index of 148% of the U.S. average and a median household income of $89,212, felony defense attorney fees in Boston typically run 48% higher than the national norm. The Boston area supports roughly 3,167 law firms, giving clients a competitive market of firms to compare.
How Boston compares
Average felony defense lawyer fees, Boston vs. Massachusetts vs. the U.S.
Boston comes in about 48% higher than the national average for felony defense lawyer fees.
What affects felony defense lawyer fees in Boston
In Boston, the cost of living sits at 148% of the U.S. average and the median household income is $89,212 — both of which set the tone for local attorney pricing. Beyond location, these factors drive felony defense lawyer fees:
- Felony class / severity — Higher felony classes carry more prison exposure and cost more to defend.
- Trial vs. plea — A felony trial costs far more than a negotiated plea.
- Prior convictions — A record and any three-strikes or habitual-offender enhancement raise the stakes.
- Evidence & experts — Forensics, investigators, and expert witnesses add significant cost.
- Charge complexity — Multiple counts, codefendants, or large discovery add hours.
- Jurisdiction — State felony classes, sentencing ranges, and enhancements vary.
How to choose a felony defense lawyer in Boston
Fees matter, but the right felony defense attorney in Boston also saves you time and improves your outcome. Before you hire:
- Confirm the fee structure. Felony 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 felony defense experience. Choose an attorney who regularly handles felony defense cases in Massachusetts, not a generalist.
- Use the free consultation. Most Boston felony 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 Massachusetts 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.
Average attorney fees in Boston by case type
National benchmarks adjusted by Boston's cost-of-living index (148). Open a case type for its full Boston fee breakdown.
| Case type | How it’s billed | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Car Accidents | Contingency | $2,950 | $8,900 | $22,250 |
| Divorce | Flat fee | $2,950 | $11,150 | $29,700 |
| Real Estate | Flat fee | $1,200 | $2,250 | $5,200 |
| Personal Injury | Contingency | $4,450 | $14,850 | $44,500 |
| Bankruptcy | Flat fee | $1,500 | $2,950 | $6,700 |
| Criminal Defense | Flat fee | $2,250 | $7,400 | $22,250 |
| Immigration | Flat fee | $1,500 | $5,200 | $14,850 |
| Disability | Contingency | $2,950 | $5,950 | $13,650 |
| Probate | Flat fee | $2,250 | $6,700 | $22,250 |
| Truck Accident | Contingency | $7,400 | $23,750 | $74,200 |
| Motorcycle Accident | Contingency | $4,450 | $13,350 | $44,500 |
| Bicycle Accident | Contingency | $3,700 | $11,850 | $37,100 |
| Uber Accident | Contingency | $4,450 | $13,350 | $48,950 |
| Property Damage | Contingency | $2,250 | $8,900 | $29,700 |
| Dog Attack Injury | Contingency | $4,450 | $14,850 | $44,500 |
| Insurance Claim | Contingency | $2,950 | $11,150 | $37,100 |
| Wrongful Death | Contingency | $22,250 | $89,050 | $371,000 |
| Uncontested Divorce | Flat fee | $740 | $1,800 | $3,700 |
| Family Law | Hourly | $2,250 | $10,400 | $29,700 |
| Child Custody | Hourly | $2,950 | $11,850 | $37,100 |
| Adoption | Flat fee | $2,250 | $7,400 | $22,250 |
| Prenuptial Agreement | Flat fee | $1,500 | $3,700 | $11,150 |
| Child Support | Hourly | $1,500 | $5,200 | $14,850 |
| Domestic Violence | Flat fee | $2,250 | $5,950 | $17,800 |
| Restraining Order | Flat fee | $1,500 | $3,700 | $11,150 |
| Guardianship | Flat fee | $2,250 | $5,950 | $17,800 |
| Surrogacy | Flat fee | $5,200 | $11,850 | $22,250 |
| Power of Attorney | Flat fee | $300 | $590 | $1,500 |
| Estate Planning | Flat fee | $740 | $2,950 | $7,400 |
| Living Trust | Flat fee | $1,800 | $3,700 | $7,400 |
| Elder Law | Hourly | $2,250 | $7,400 | $17,800 |
| Will | Flat fee | $220 | $590 | $1,500 |
| Defense | Flat fee | $2,250 | $7,400 | $22,250 |
| DUI | Flat fee | $2,250 | $5,950 | $14,850 |
| Pardon | Flat fee | $2,250 | $7,400 | $22,250 |
| Expungement | Flat fee | $740 | $2,250 | $5,950 |
| Juvenile | Flat fee | $2,250 | $5,200 | $14,850 |
| Felony Defense | Flat fee | $5,200 | $14,850 | $44,500 |
| Clemency | Flat fee | $2,950 | $8,900 | $22,250 |
| Probation Violation | Flat fee | $1,500 | $3,700 | $11,150 |
| Misdemeanor | Flat fee | $1,100 | $2,250 | $5,200 |
| Security Clearance | Flat fee | $3,700 | $11,150 | $29,700 |
| Discharge Upgrade | Flat fee | $2,250 | $5,950 | $14,850 |
| H-1B Visa | Flat fee | $2,950 | $5,200 | $8,900 |
| Green Card | Flat fee | $2,950 | $5,950 | $11,850 |
| Citizenship | Flat fee | $740 | $1,500 | $3,700 |
| EB-2 NIW | Flat fee | $5,950 | $10,400 | $17,800 |
| K-1 Visa | Flat fee | $2,250 | $3,700 | $5,950 |
| E-2 Visa | Flat fee | $5,200 | $8,900 | $14,850 |
| Deportation | Hourly | $4,450 | $11,850 | $29,700 |
| O-1 Visa | Flat fee | $5,200 | $8,900 | $14,850 |
| Closing | Flat fee | $1,050 | $1,800 | $3,700 |
| House Purchase | Flat fee | $1,200 | $1,950 | $3,700 |
| Eviction | Flat fee | $740 | $1,800 | $4,450 |
| Property Tax Appeal | Contingency | $220 | $740 | $2,950 |
| Foreclosure | Flat fee | $2,250 | $5,200 | $11,150 |
| HOA | Hourly | $2,250 | $5,950 | $14,850 |
| Tenant | Hourly | $1,500 | $3,700 | $8,900 |
| Chapter 7 | Flat fee | $1,500 | $2,250 | $3,700 |
| Chapter 13 | Flat fee | $4,450 | $5,950 | $8,900 |
| Personal Loan | Hourly | $740 | $2,950 | $7,400 |
| Debt Settlement | Contingency | $1,500 | $4,450 | $11,850 |
| SSDI | Contingency | $2,950 | $5,950 | $13,650 |
| Social Security | Contingency | $2,950 | $5,950 | $13,650 |
| VA Disability | Contingency | $2,250 | $7,400 | $22,250 |
| Long-Term Disability | Contingency | $3,700 | $11,850 | $37,100 |
| Traffic Ticket | Flat fee | $150 | $450 | $1,100 |
| Speeding Ticket | Flat fee | $150 | $450 | $1,100 |
| Traffic Violation | Flat fee | $150 | $450 | $1,100 |
| Reckless Driving | Flat fee | $1,500 | $3,700 | $7,400 |
| Suspended License | Flat fee | $1,100 | $2,600 | $4,450 |
| Patent | Flat fee | $7,400 | $14,850 | $26,700 |
| Trademark | Flat fee | $890 | $1,800 | $3,700 |
| Workers Compensation | Contingency | $2,250 | $5,950 | $14,850 |
| Small Claims | Flat fee | $150 | $740 | $2,250 |
| Civil Lawsuit | Hourly | $4,450 | $22,250 | $74,200 |
| Consumer Protection | Contingency | $2,950 | $7,400 | $22,250 |
| Lemon Law | Contingency | $2,950 | $7,400 | $22,250 |
| Defamation | Hourly | $7,400 | $22,250 | $74,200 |
| Employment | Contingency | $3,700 | $14,850 | $59,350 |
| Discrimination | Contingency | $4,450 | $17,800 | $66,800 |
| Wrongful Termination | Contingency | $4,450 | $17,800 | $66,800 |
| Whistleblower | Contingency | $7,400 | $29,700 | $148,400 |
| Tax | Hourly | $2,250 | $7,400 | $22,250 |
| Business | Hourly | $2,250 | $8,900 | $37,100 |
| Medical Malpractice | Contingency | $37,100 | $148,400 | $519,400 |
Felony defense lawyer fees in other Massachusetts cities
Compare local felony defense attorney fees across Massachusetts.
FAQs - Felony defense attorney fees in Boston
Felony defense lawyer fees in Boston average about $14,850, with a typical range of $5,200 to $44,500. That is roughly 148% of the U.S. average, adjusted for the local cost of living.
Boston's cost-of-living index is about 148% of the national average, so felony defense attorney fees here tend to run 48% 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 felony defense attorney in Boston, or enter your ZIP code for a more precise estimate.
We take the national benchmark for felony defense cases and adjust it by Boston's cost-of-living index — about 148% of the U.S. average — giving a local Low, Average, and High of $5,200, $14,850, and $44,500.
Boston averages about $14,850 for felony defense lawyer fees, compared with roughly $14,850 across Massachusetts and $10,000 nationally.
Many felony defense attorneys in Boston offer a free initial consultation to review your case before you commit. Check each firm's listing above for details.
Look for a Boston attorney who regularly handles felony defense cases, check reviews and their standing with the Massachusetts 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 Boston felony defense matter, always confirm how the costs are handled alongside the fee.
In Boston, felony 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 felony 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 Boston consultation to weigh it for your situation.
ZIP codes covered
These Boston felony defense fee estimates span ZIP code 02101.
Last updated Aug 6, 2026 · Fee figures are local averages for informational purposes only and are not legal advice or a quote. See how we estimate fees.