Felony Defense Attorney Fees in Portland
Felony defense lawyer fees in Portland, Oregon average about $11,350 — roughly 114% of the U.S. average and in line with the Oregon state average of $11,350.
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.
Oregon 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 Oregon 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. Oregon 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 Portland
Browse these felony defense attorneys serving Portland. Give a call or request an estimate and connect with local firm that fits your case.
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About Portland, OR
With a cost-of-living index of 114% of the U.S. average and a median household income of $85,876, felony defense attorney fees in Portland generally land 14% higher than the national norm. The Portland area supports roughly 1,498 law firms, giving clients a competitive market of firms to compare. As a local cost gauge, the fair-market rent for a two-bedroom home in the Portland area is about $2,024/month.
How Portland compares
Average felony defense lawyer fees, Portland vs. Oregon vs. the U.S.
Portland comes in about 14% higher than the national average for felony defense lawyer fees.
What affects felony defense lawyer fees in Portland
In Portland, the cost of living runs 114% of the U.S. average and the median household income is $85,876 — 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 Portland
Fees matter, but the right felony defense attorney in Portland 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 Oregon, not a generalist.
- Use the free consultation. Most Portland 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 Oregon 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 Portland by case type
National benchmarks adjusted by Portland's cost-of-living index (114). Open a case type for its full Portland fee breakdown.
| Case type | How it’s billed | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Car Accidents | Contingency | $2,250 | $6,800 | $17,050 |
| Divorce | Flat fee | $2,250 | $8,500 | $22,700 |
| Real Estate | Flat fee | $910 | $1,700 | $4,000 |
| Personal Injury | Contingency | $3,400 | $11,350 | $34,100 |
| Bankruptcy | Flat fee | $1,150 | $2,250 | $5,100 |
| Criminal Defense | Flat fee | $1,700 | $5,700 | $17,050 |
| Immigration | Flat fee | $1,150 | $4,000 | $11,350 |
| Disability | Contingency | $2,250 | $4,550 | $10,450 |
| Probate | Flat fee | $1,700 | $5,100 | $17,050 |
| Truck Accident | Contingency | $5,700 | $18,200 | $56,800 |
| Motorcycle Accident | Contingency | $3,400 | $10,200 | $34,100 |
| Bicycle Accident | Contingency | $2,850 | $9,100 | $28,400 |
| Uber Accident | Contingency | $3,400 | $10,200 | $37,500 |
| Property Damage | Contingency | $1,700 | $6,800 | $22,700 |
| Dog Attack Injury | Contingency | $3,400 | $11,350 | $34,100 |
| Insurance Claim | Contingency | $2,250 | $8,500 | $28,400 |
| Wrongful Death | Contingency | $17,050 | $68,150 | $284,000 |
| Uncontested Divorce | Flat fee | $570 | $1,350 | $2,850 |
| Family Law | Hourly | $1,700 | $7,950 | $22,700 |
| Child Custody | Hourly | $2,250 | $9,100 | $28,400 |
| Adoption | Flat fee | $1,700 | $5,700 | $17,050 |
| Prenuptial Agreement | Flat fee | $1,150 | $2,850 | $8,500 |
| Child Support | Hourly | $1,150 | $4,000 | $11,350 |
| Domestic Violence | Flat fee | $1,700 | $4,550 | $13,650 |
| Restraining Order | Flat fee | $1,150 | $2,850 | $8,500 |
| Guardianship | Flat fee | $1,700 | $4,550 | $13,650 |
| Surrogacy | Flat fee | $4,000 | $9,100 | $17,050 |
| Power of Attorney | Flat fee | $230 | $450 | $1,150 |
| Estate Planning | Flat fee | $570 | $2,250 | $5,700 |
| Living Trust | Flat fee | $1,350 | $2,850 | $5,700 |
| Elder Law | Hourly | $1,700 | $5,700 | $13,650 |
| Will | Flat fee | $170 | $450 | $1,150 |
| Defense | Flat fee | $1,700 | $5,700 | $17,050 |
| DUI | Flat fee | $1,700 | $4,550 | $11,350 |
| Pardon | Flat fee | $1,700 | $5,700 | $17,050 |
| Expungement | Flat fee | $570 | $1,700 | $4,550 |
| Juvenile | Flat fee | $1,700 | $4,000 | $11,350 |
| Felony Defense | Flat fee | $4,000 | $11,350 | $34,100 |
| Clemency | Flat fee | $2,250 | $6,800 | $17,050 |
| Probation Violation | Flat fee | $1,150 | $2,850 | $8,500 |
| Misdemeanor | Flat fee | $850 | $1,700 | $4,000 |
| Security Clearance | Flat fee | $2,850 | $8,500 | $22,700 |
| Discharge Upgrade | Flat fee | $1,700 | $4,550 | $11,350 |
| H-1B Visa | Flat fee | $2,250 | $4,000 | $6,800 |
| Green Card | Flat fee | $2,250 | $4,550 | $9,100 |
| Citizenship | Flat fee | $570 | $1,150 | $2,850 |
| EB-2 NIW | Flat fee | $4,550 | $7,950 | $13,650 |
| K-1 Visa | Flat fee | $1,700 | $2,850 | $4,550 |
| E-2 Visa | Flat fee | $4,000 | $6,800 | $11,350 |
| Deportation | Hourly | $3,400 | $9,100 | $22,700 |
| O-1 Visa | Flat fee | $4,000 | $6,800 | $11,350 |
| Closing | Flat fee | $800 | $1,350 | $2,850 |
| House Purchase | Flat fee | $910 | $1,500 | $2,850 |
| Eviction | Flat fee | $570 | $1,350 | $3,400 |
| Property Tax Appeal | Contingency | $170 | $570 | $2,250 |
| Foreclosure | Flat fee | $1,700 | $4,000 | $8,500 |
| HOA | Hourly | $1,700 | $4,550 | $11,350 |
| Tenant | Hourly | $1,150 | $2,850 | $6,800 |
| Chapter 7 | Flat fee | $1,150 | $1,700 | $2,850 |
| Chapter 13 | Flat fee | $3,400 | $4,550 | $6,800 |
| Personal Loan | Hourly | $570 | $2,250 | $5,700 |
| Debt Settlement | Contingency | $1,150 | $3,400 | $9,100 |
| SSDI | Contingency | $2,250 | $4,550 | $10,450 |
| Social Security | Contingency | $2,250 | $4,550 | $10,450 |
| VA Disability | Contingency | $1,700 | $5,700 | $17,050 |
| Long-Term Disability | Contingency | $2,850 | $9,100 | $28,400 |
| Traffic Ticket | Flat fee | $110 | $340 | $850 |
| Speeding Ticket | Flat fee | $110 | $340 | $850 |
| Traffic Violation | Flat fee | $110 | $340 | $850 |
| Reckless Driving | Flat fee | $1,150 | $2,850 | $5,700 |
| Suspended License | Flat fee | $850 | $2,000 | $3,400 |
| Patent | Flat fee | $5,700 | $11,350 | $20,450 |
| Trademark | Flat fee | $680 | $1,350 | $2,850 |
| Workers Compensation | Contingency | $1,700 | $4,550 | $11,350 |
| Small Claims | Flat fee | $110 | $570 | $1,700 |
| Civil Lawsuit | Hourly | $3,400 | $17,050 | $56,800 |
| Consumer Protection | Contingency | $2,250 | $5,700 | $17,050 |
| Lemon Law | Contingency | $2,250 | $5,700 | $17,050 |
| Defamation | Hourly | $5,700 | $17,050 | $56,800 |
| Employment | Contingency | $2,850 | $11,350 | $45,450 |
| Discrimination | Contingency | $3,400 | $13,650 | $51,100 |
| Wrongful Termination | Contingency | $3,400 | $13,650 | $51,100 |
| Whistleblower | Contingency | $5,700 | $22,700 | $113,600 |
| Tax | Hourly | $1,700 | $5,700 | $17,050 |
| Business | Hourly | $1,700 | $6,800 | $28,400 |
| Medical Malpractice | Contingency | $28,400 | $113,600 | $397,600 |
FAQs - Felony defense attorney fees in Portland
Felony defense lawyer fees in Portland average about $11,350, with a typical range of $4,000 to $34,100. That is roughly 114% of the U.S. average, adjusted for the local cost of living.
Portland's cost-of-living index is about 114% of the national average, so felony defense attorney fees here tend to run 14% 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 Portland, or enter your ZIP code for a more precise estimate.
We take the national benchmark for felony defense cases and adjust it by Portland's cost-of-living index — about 114% of the U.S. average — giving a local Low, Average, and High of $4,000, $11,350, and $34,100.
Portland averages about $11,350 for felony defense lawyer fees, compared with roughly $11,350 across Oregon and $10,000 nationally.
Many felony defense attorneys in Portland offer a free initial consultation to review your case before you commit. Check each firm's listing above for details.
Look for a Portland attorney who regularly handles felony defense cases, check reviews and their standing with the Oregon 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 Portland felony defense matter, always confirm how the costs are handled alongside the fee.
In Portland, 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 Portland consultation to weigh it for your situation.
ZIP codes covered
These Portland felony defense fee estimates span ZIP codes 97201, 97217.
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.