Felony Defense Attorney Fees in Burlington
Felony defense lawyer fees in Burlington, Iowa average about $9,000 — roughly 90% of the U.S. average and in line with the Iowa state average of $9,000.
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.
Iowa enhances penalties for repeat felonies through habitual-offender sentencing laws, so prior convictions raise the stakes — and the cost — of defending a new felony charge here.
Felony defense attorneys in Iowa 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. Iowa 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.
Get in touch with a felony defense lawyer in Burlington
Browse these felony defense attorneys serving Burlington. Give a call or request an estimate and connect with local firm that fits your case.
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How Burlington compares
Average felony defense lawyer fees, Burlington vs. Iowa vs. the U.S.
Burlington runs about 10% lower than the national average for felony defense lawyer fees.
What affects felony defense lawyer fees in Burlington
In Burlington, the cost of living runs 90% of the U.S. average — both of which set the tone for local attorney pricing. Beyond location, these factors determine 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 Burlington
Fees matter, but the right felony defense attorney in Burlington also protects both your time and your result. 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 Iowa, not a generalist.
- Use the free consultation. Most Burlington 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 Iowa 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 felony defense case?
Average attorney fees in Burlington by case type
National benchmarks adjusted by Burlington's cost-of-living index (90). Open a case type for its full Burlington fee breakdown.
| Case type | How it’s billed | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Felony Defense | Flat fee | $3,150 | $9,000 | $26,950 |
| Divorce | Flat fee | $1,800 | $6,750 | $18,000 |
| Immigration | Flat fee | $450 | $3,150 | $13,500 |
| Real Estate | Flat fee | $720 | $1,350 | $3,150 |
| Probate | Flat fee | $1,350 | $4,050 | $13,500 |
| Car Accidents | Contingency | $1,800 | $5,400 | $13,500 |
| Personal Injury | Contingency | $2,700 | $9,000 | $26,950 |
| Patent | Flat fee | $4,500 | $9,000 | $16,200 |
| Estate Planning | Flat fee | $450 | $1,800 | $4,500 |
| DUI | Flat fee | $1,350 | $3,600 | $9,000 |
| Child Support | Hourly | $900 | $3,150 | $9,000 |
| Criminal Defense | Flat fee | $1,350 | $4,500 | $13,500 |
| Child Custody | Hourly | $1,800 | $7,200 | $22,500 |
| H-1B Visa | Flat fee | $1,800 | $3,150 | $5,400 |
| Trademark | Flat fee | $540 | $1,100 | $2,250 |
| Living Trust | Flat fee | $1,100 | $2,250 | $4,500 |
| Traffic Ticket | Flat fee | $90 | $270 | $670 |
| Family Law | Hourly | $1,350 | $6,300 | $18,000 |
| Speeding Ticket | Flat fee | $90 | $270 | $670 |
| Bankruptcy | Flat fee | $900 | $1,800 | $4,050 |
| Pedestrian Accident | Contingency | $3,150 | $10,800 | $35,950 |
| Chapter 7 | Flat fee | $900 | $1,350 | $2,250 |
| Traffic Violation | Flat fee | $90 | $270 | $670 |
| Clemency | Flat fee | $1,800 | $5,400 | $13,500 |
| Bicycle Accident | Contingency | $2,250 | $7,200 | $22,500 |
| Medicaid Planning | Flat fee | $2,700 | $5,850 | $13,500 |
| Adoption | Flat fee | $1,350 | $4,500 | $13,500 |
| Medical Malpractice | Contingency | $22,500 | $89,900 | $314,650 |
| Expungement | Flat fee | $450 | $1,350 | $3,600 |
| Workers Compensation | Contingency | $1,350 | $3,600 | $9,000 |
| SSDI | Contingency | $1,800 | $3,600 | $8,250 |
| Uncontested Divorce | Flat fee | $450 | $1,100 | $2,250 |
| Uber Accident | Contingency | $2,700 | $8,100 | $29,650 |
| Tax | Hourly | $1,350 | $4,500 | $13,500 |
| Rideshare Accident | Contingency | $2,700 | $8,100 | $29,650 |
| Eviction | Flat fee | $450 | $1,100 | $2,700 |
| Employment | Contingency | $2,250 | $9,000 | $35,950 |
| Small Claims | Flat fee | $90 | $450 | $1,350 |
| Bus Accident | Contingency | $3,600 | $10,800 | $40,450 |
| Pardon | Flat fee | $1,350 | $4,500 | $13,500 |
| Disability | Contingency | $1,800 | $3,600 | $8,250 |
| Chapter 13 | Flat fee | $2,700 | $3,600 | $5,400 |
| Drunk Driving Accident | Contingency | $3,600 | $13,500 | $53,950 |
| Defense | Flat fee | $1,350 | $4,500 | $13,500 |
| Prenuptial Agreement | Flat fee | $900 | $2,250 | $6,750 |
| Auto Dealer Fraud | Contingency | $2,250 | $6,750 | $22,500 |
| Guardianship | Flat fee | $1,350 | $3,600 | $10,800 |
| Closing | Flat fee | $630 | $1,100 | $2,250 |
| Social Security | Contingency | $1,800 | $3,600 | $8,250 |
| Business | Hourly | $1,350 | $5,400 | $22,500 |
| Construction Accident | Contingency | $10,800 | $44,950 | $179,800 |
| Alimony | Hourly | $2,700 | $8,100 | $22,500 |
| Domestic Violence | Flat fee | $1,350 | $3,600 | $10,800 |
| Green Card | Flat fee | $1,800 | $3,600 | $7,200 |
| Business Litigation | Hourly | $13,500 | $53,950 | $224,750 |
| Police Misconduct | Contingency | $7,200 | $35,950 | $224,750 |
| K-1 Visa | Flat fee | $1,350 | $2,250 | $3,600 |
| Foreclosure | Flat fee | $1,350 | $3,150 | $6,750 |
| Annulment | Flat fee | $900 | $2,700 | $9,000 |
| Sexual Abuse | Contingency | $18,000 | $76,400 | $359,600 |
| Juvenile | Flat fee | $1,350 | $3,150 | $9,000 |
| Debt Settlement | Contingency | $900 | $2,700 | $7,200 |
| Bad Faith Insurance | Contingency | $7,200 | $26,950 | $112,400 |
| Lemon Law | Contingency | $1,800 | $4,500 | $13,500 |
| Divorce Mediation | Hourly | $2,250 | $4,950 | $10,800 |
| Unpaid Wages | Contingency | $1,800 | $7,200 | $31,450 |
| Non-Compete Agreement | Flat fee | $450 | $2,250 | $44,950 |
| Consumer Protection | Contingency | $1,800 | $4,500 | $13,500 |
| Life Insurance Denial | Contingency | $7,200 | $44,950 | $179,800 |
| Personal Loan | Hourly | $450 | $1,800 | $4,500 |
| Hostile Work Environment | Contingency | $3,600 | $13,500 | $58,450 |
| Wrongful Death | Contingency | $13,500 | $53,950 | $224,750 |
| Age Discrimination | Contingency | $4,500 | $18,000 | $76,400 |
| Construction Defect | Hourly | $7,200 | $40,450 | $179,800 |
| Elder Law | Hourly | $1,350 | $4,500 | $10,800 |
| Restraining Order | Flat fee | $900 | $2,250 | $6,750 |
| Debt Collection Defense | Flat fee | $450 | $1,350 | $4,500 |
| Visitation | Hourly | $1,350 | $4,500 | $18,000 |
| Brain Injury | Contingency | $18,000 | $103,400 | $449,500 |
| Power of Attorney | Flat fee | $180 | $360 | $900 |
| Birth Injury | Contingency | $89,900 | $404,550 | $1,348,500 |
| CPS Defense | Hourly | $2,250 | $6,750 | $22,500 |
| White Collar Crime | Hourly | $13,500 | $67,450 | $359,600 |
| Wrongful Termination | Contingency | $2,700 | $10,800 | $40,450 |
| Tenant | Hourly | $900 | $2,250 | $5,400 |
| EB-2 NIW | Flat fee | $3,600 | $6,300 | $10,800 |
| O-1 Visa | Flat fee | $3,150 | $5,400 | $9,000 |
| Name Change | Flat fee | $270 | $670 | $2,250 |
| F-1 Student Visa | Flat fee | $670 | $1,600 | $4,500 |
| Misdemeanor | Flat fee | $670 | $1,350 | $3,150 |
| Gun Charges | Flat fee | $1,350 | $5,400 | $67,450 |
| Chapter 11 | Hourly | $22,500 | $67,450 | $359,600 |
| Citizenship | Flat fee | $450 | $900 | $2,250 |
| Severance Agreement | Flat fee | $450 | $1,100 | $4,500 |
| LLC Formation | Flat fee | $450 | $1,100 | $2,250 |
| House Purchase | Flat fee | $720 | $1,150 | $2,250 |
| IRS Audit | Hourly | $900 | $4,050 | $18,000 |
| Truck Accident | Contingency | $4,500 | $14,400 | $44,950 |
| Defamation | Hourly | $4,500 | $13,500 | $44,950 |
| SSI | Contingency | $900 | $2,700 | $8,250 |
| Surrogacy | Flat fee | $3,150 | $7,200 | $13,500 |
| Probation Violation | Flat fee | $900 | $2,250 | $6,750 |
| HOA | Hourly | $1,350 | $3,600 | $9,000 |
| Reckless Driving | Flat fee | $900 | $2,250 | $4,500 |
| Suspended License | Flat fee | $670 | $1,550 | $2,700 |
| Asylum | Flat fee | $2,700 | $5,400 | $13,500 |
| Franchise | Hourly | $1,800 | $6,750 | $53,950 |
| EB-5 Visa | Flat fee | $10,800 | $22,500 | $44,950 |
| Discharge Upgrade | Flat fee | $1,350 | $3,600 | $9,000 |
| Copyright | Flat fee | $270 | $1,350 | $6,750 |
| ERISA | Contingency | $2,700 | $13,500 | $67,450 |
| Marriage Green Card | Flat fee | $1,350 | $2,700 | $6,750 |
| Hit and Run Accident | Contingency | $2,250 | $7,200 | $26,950 |
| Overtime | Contingency | $2,250 | $8,100 | $35,950 |
| Timeshare Exit | Flat fee | $1,350 | $4,050 | $13,500 |
| Fraud Defense | Flat fee | $2,250 | $6,750 | $22,500 |
| Civil Lawsuit | Hourly | $2,700 | $13,500 | $44,950 |
| Irrevocable Trust | Flat fee | $2,250 | $5,400 | $13,500 |
| Property Tax Appeal | Contingency | $130 | $450 | $1,800 |
| Slip and Fall | Contingency | $3,600 | $10,800 | $35,950 |
| Special Education | Hourly | $1,800 | $6,750 | $22,500 |
| Entertainment | Hourly | $670 | $3,150 | $22,500 |
| Special Needs Trust | Flat fee | $1,800 | $4,050 | $9,000 |
| Student Loan | Flat fee | $670 | $2,250 | $7,200 |
| Civil Rights Violation | Contingency | $4,500 | $22,500 | $134,850 |
| Immigration Bond | Flat fee | $1,350 | $2,700 | $5,400 |
| Motorcycle Accident | Contingency | $2,700 | $8,100 | $26,950 |
| Dog Attack Injury | Contingency | $2,700 | $9,000 | $26,950 |
| Insurance Claim | Contingency | $1,800 | $6,750 | $22,500 |
| Discrimination | Contingency | $2,700 | $10,800 | $40,450 |
| Professional License Defense | Hourly | $2,250 | $7,200 | $22,500 |
| Commercial Real Estate | Hourly | $2,250 | $8,100 | $40,450 |
| Security Clearance | Flat fee | $2,250 | $6,750 | $18,000 |
| Deportation | Hourly | $2,700 | $7,200 | $18,000 |
| Mesothelioma | Contingency | $44,950 | $314,650 | $899,000 |
| Trust Administration | Hourly | $2,250 | $5,400 | $18,000 |
| Shoplifting | Flat fee | $670 | $1,350 | $3,600 |
| Startup | Flat fee | $2,250 | $6,750 | $26,950 |
| E-2 Visa | Flat fee | $3,150 | $5,400 | $9,000 |
| Property Damage | Contingency | $1,350 | $5,400 | $18,000 |
| Product Liability | Contingency | $13,500 | $53,950 | $224,750 |
| Breach of Contract | Hourly | $2,700 | $18,000 | $67,450 |
| Health Insurance Denial | Hourly | $670 | $3,150 | $13,500 |
| Whistleblower | Contingency | $4,500 | $18,000 | $89,900 |
| Legal Malpractice | Contingency | $9,000 | $35,950 | $134,850 |
| Federal Criminal Defense | Flat fee | $9,000 | $31,450 | $134,850 |
| Assault | Flat fee | $1,350 | $3,600 | $13,500 |
| Contract Review | Flat fee | $270 | $720 | $2,700 |
| Landlord | Hourly | $670 | $2,700 | $13,500 |
| Contested Divorce | Hourly | $9,000 | $18,000 | $44,950 |
| Wage Garnishment | Flat fee | $360 | $1,100 | $3,150 |
| Will | Flat fee | $130 | $360 | $900 |
| Drug Possession | Flat fee | $1,350 | $3,600 | $13,500 |
| Theft | Flat fee | $900 | $3,150 | $10,800 |
| House Sale | Flat fee | $720 | $1,250 | $2,250 |
| Tax Debt Relief | Flat fee | $900 | $3,150 | $9,000 |
| VA Disability | Contingency | $1,350 | $4,500 | $13,500 |
| Long-Term Disability | Contingency | $2,250 | $7,200 | $22,500 |
| Nursing Home Abuse | Contingency | $13,500 | $53,950 | $179,800 |
| Sexual Harassment | Contingency | $4,500 | $16,200 | $67,450 |
Felony defense lawyer fees in other Iowa cities
Compare local felony defense attorney fees across Iowa.
FAQs - Felony defense attorney fees in Burlington
Felony defense lawyer fees in Burlington average about $9,000, with a typical range of $3,150 to $26,950. That is roughly 90% of the U.S. average, adjusted for the local cost of living.
Burlington's cost-of-living index is about 90% of the national average, so felony defense attorney fees here tend to run 10% 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 felony defense attorney in Burlington, or enter your ZIP code for a more precise estimate.
We take the national benchmark for felony defense cases and adjust it by Burlington's cost-of-living index — about 90% of the U.S. average — giving a local Low, Average, and High of $3,150, $9,000, and $26,950.
Burlington averages about $9,000 for felony defense lawyer fees, compared with roughly $9,000 across Iowa and $10,000 nationally.
Many felony defense attorneys in Burlington offer a free initial consultation to review your case before you commit. Check each firm's listing above for details.
Look for a Burlington attorney who regularly handles felony defense cases, check reviews and their standing with the Iowa 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 Burlington felony defense matter, always confirm how the costs are handled alongside the fee.
In Burlington, 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 Burlington consultation to weigh it for your situation.
ZIP codes covered
These Burlington felony defense fee estimates apply to ZIP code 52601.
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.