Felony Defense Attorney Fees in Honolulu
Felony defense lawyer fees in Honolulu, Hawaii average about $18,600 — roughly 186% of the U.S. average and in line with the Hawaii state average of $18,600.
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.
Hawaii 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 Hawaii 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. Hawaii 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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How Honolulu compares
Average felony defense lawyer fees, Honolulu vs. Hawaii vs. the U.S.
Honolulu sits about 86% higher than the national average for felony defense lawyer fees.
What affects felony defense lawyer fees in Honolulu
In Honolulu, the cost of living sits at 186% of the U.S. average — both of which shape what local attorneys charge. 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 Honolulu
Fees matter, but the right felony defense attorney in Honolulu also often improves your timeline and 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 Hawaii, not a generalist.
- Use the free consultation. Most Honolulu 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 Hawaii 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 Honolulu by case type
National benchmarks adjusted by Honolulu's cost-of-living index (186). Open a case type for its full Honolulu fee breakdown.
| Case type | How it’s billed | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Car Accidents | Contingency | $3,700 | $11,150 | $27,900 |
| Divorce | Flat fee | $3,700 | $13,950 | $37,200 |
| Real Estate | Flat fee | $1,500 | $2,800 | $6,500 |
| Personal Injury | Contingency | $5,600 | $18,600 | $55,800 |
| Bankruptcy | Flat fee | $1,850 | $3,700 | $8,350 |
| Criminal Defense | Flat fee | $2,800 | $9,300 | $27,900 |
| Immigration | Flat fee | $1,850 | $6,500 | $18,600 |
| Disability | Contingency | $3,700 | $7,450 | $17,100 |
| Probate | Flat fee | $2,800 | $8,350 | $27,900 |
| Truck Accident | Contingency | $9,300 | $29,750 | $93,000 |
| Motorcycle Accident | Contingency | $5,600 | $16,750 | $55,800 |
| Bicycle Accident | Contingency | $4,650 | $14,900 | $46,500 |
| Uber Accident | Contingency | $5,600 | $16,750 | $61,400 |
| Property Damage | Contingency | $2,800 | $11,150 | $37,200 |
| Dog Attack Injury | Contingency | $5,600 | $18,600 | $55,800 |
| Insurance Claim | Contingency | $3,700 | $13,950 | $46,500 |
| Wrongful Death | Contingency | $27,900 | $111,600 | $465,000 |
| Uncontested Divorce | Flat fee | $930 | $2,250 | $4,650 |
| Family Law | Hourly | $2,800 | $13,000 | $37,200 |
| Child Custody | Hourly | $3,700 | $14,900 | $46,500 |
| Adoption | Flat fee | $2,800 | $9,300 | $27,900 |
| Prenuptial Agreement | Flat fee | $1,850 | $4,650 | $13,950 |
| Child Support | Hourly | $1,850 | $6,500 | $18,600 |
| Domestic Violence | Flat fee | $2,800 | $7,450 | $22,300 |
| Restraining Order | Flat fee | $1,850 | $4,650 | $13,950 |
| Guardianship | Flat fee | $2,800 | $7,450 | $22,300 |
| Surrogacy | Flat fee | $6,500 | $14,900 | $27,900 |
| Power of Attorney | Flat fee | $370 | $740 | $1,850 |
| Estate Planning | Flat fee | $930 | $3,700 | $9,300 |
| Living Trust | Flat fee | $2,250 | $4,650 | $9,300 |
| Elder Law | Hourly | $2,800 | $9,300 | $22,300 |
| Will | Flat fee | $280 | $740 | $1,850 |
| Defense | Flat fee | $2,800 | $9,300 | $27,900 |
| DUI | Flat fee | $2,800 | $7,450 | $18,600 |
| Pardon | Flat fee | $2,800 | $9,300 | $27,900 |
| Expungement | Flat fee | $930 | $2,800 | $7,450 |
| Juvenile | Flat fee | $2,800 | $6,500 | $18,600 |
| Felony Defense | Flat fee | $6,500 | $18,600 | $55,800 |
| Clemency | Flat fee | $3,700 | $11,150 | $27,900 |
| Probation Violation | Flat fee | $1,850 | $4,650 | $13,950 |
| Misdemeanor | Flat fee | $1,400 | $2,800 | $6,500 |
| Security Clearance | Flat fee | $4,650 | $13,950 | $37,200 |
| Discharge Upgrade | Flat fee | $2,800 | $7,450 | $18,600 |
| H-1B Visa | Flat fee | $3,700 | $6,500 | $11,150 |
| Green Card | Flat fee | $3,700 | $7,450 | $14,900 |
| Citizenship | Flat fee | $930 | $1,850 | $4,650 |
| EB-2 NIW | Flat fee | $7,450 | $13,000 | $22,300 |
| K-1 Visa | Flat fee | $2,800 | $4,650 | $7,450 |
| E-2 Visa | Flat fee | $6,500 | $11,150 | $18,600 |
| Deportation | Hourly | $5,600 | $14,900 | $37,200 |
| O-1 Visa | Flat fee | $6,500 | $11,150 | $18,600 |
| Closing | Flat fee | $1,300 | $2,250 | $4,650 |
| House Purchase | Flat fee | $1,500 | $2,400 | $4,650 |
| Eviction | Flat fee | $930 | $2,250 | $5,600 |
| Property Tax Appeal | Contingency | $280 | $930 | $3,700 |
| Foreclosure | Flat fee | $2,800 | $6,500 | $13,950 |
| HOA | Hourly | $2,800 | $7,450 | $18,600 |
| Tenant | Hourly | $1,850 | $4,650 | $11,150 |
| Chapter 7 | Flat fee | $1,850 | $2,800 | $4,650 |
| Chapter 13 | Flat fee | $5,600 | $7,450 | $11,150 |
| Personal Loan | Hourly | $930 | $3,700 | $9,300 |
| Debt Settlement | Contingency | $1,850 | $5,600 | $14,900 |
| SSDI | Contingency | $3,700 | $7,450 | $17,100 |
| Social Security | Contingency | $3,700 | $7,450 | $17,100 |
| VA Disability | Contingency | $2,800 | $9,300 | $27,900 |
| Long-Term Disability | Contingency | $4,650 | $14,900 | $46,500 |
| Traffic Ticket | Flat fee | $190 | $560 | $1,400 |
| Speeding Ticket | Flat fee | $190 | $560 | $1,400 |
| Traffic Violation | Flat fee | $190 | $560 | $1,400 |
| Reckless Driving | Flat fee | $1,850 | $4,650 | $9,300 |
| Suspended License | Flat fee | $1,400 | $3,250 | $5,600 |
| Patent | Flat fee | $9,300 | $18,600 | $33,500 |
| Trademark | Flat fee | $1,100 | $2,250 | $4,650 |
| Workers Compensation | Contingency | $2,800 | $7,450 | $18,600 |
| Small Claims | Flat fee | $190 | $930 | $2,800 |
| Civil Lawsuit | Hourly | $5,600 | $27,900 | $93,000 |
| Consumer Protection | Contingency | $3,700 | $9,300 | $27,900 |
| Lemon Law | Contingency | $3,700 | $9,300 | $27,900 |
| Defamation | Hourly | $9,300 | $27,900 | $93,000 |
| Employment | Contingency | $4,650 | $18,600 | $74,400 |
| Discrimination | Contingency | $5,600 | $22,300 | $83,700 |
| Wrongful Termination | Contingency | $5,600 | $22,300 | $83,700 |
| Whistleblower | Contingency | $9,300 | $37,200 | $186,000 |
| Tax | Hourly | $2,800 | $9,300 | $27,900 |
| Business | Hourly | $2,800 | $11,150 | $46,500 |
| Medical Malpractice | Contingency | $46,500 | $186,000 | $651,000 |
| SSI | Contingency | $1,850 | $5,600 | $17,100 |
| Asylum | Flat fee | $5,600 | $11,150 | $27,900 |
| Marriage Green Card | Flat fee | $2,800 | $5,600 | $13,950 |
| Slip and Fall | Contingency | $7,450 | $22,300 | $74,400 |
| Mesothelioma | Contingency | $93,000 | $651,000 | $1,860,000 |
| Product Liability | Contingency | $27,900 | $111,600 | $465,000 |
| Breach of Contract | Hourly | $5,600 | $37,200 | $139,500 |
| Landlord | Hourly | $1,400 | $5,600 | $27,900 |
Felony defense lawyer fees in other Hawaii cities
Compare local felony defense attorney fees across Hawaii.
FAQs - Felony defense attorney fees in Honolulu
Felony defense lawyer fees in Honolulu average about $18,600, with a typical range of $6,500 to $55,800. That is roughly 186% of the U.S. average, adjusted for the local cost of living.
Honolulu's cost-of-living index is about 186% of the national average, so felony defense attorney fees here tend to run 86% 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 Honolulu, or enter your ZIP code for a more precise estimate.
We take the national benchmark for felony defense cases and adjust it by Honolulu's cost-of-living index — about 186% of the U.S. average — giving a local Low, Average, and High of $6,500, $18,600, and $55,800.
Honolulu averages about $18,600 for felony defense lawyer fees, compared with roughly $18,600 across Hawaii and $10,000 nationally.
Many felony defense attorneys in Honolulu offer a free initial consultation to review your case before you commit. Check each firm's listing above for details.
Look for a Honolulu attorney who regularly handles felony defense cases, check reviews and their standing with the Hawaii 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 Honolulu felony defense matter, always confirm how the costs are handled alongside the fee.
In Honolulu, 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 Honolulu consultation to weigh it for your situation.
ZIP codes covered
These Honolulu felony defense fee estimates span ZIP codes 96813, 96818, 96814, 96826, 96825.
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.