This is the type of billing whereby the lawyer charges a fixed fee or flat fee. The amount could be $2000 flat, and this is the total amount that would be demanded by the attorney as the case is concluded. The defendant understands that this fee doesn’t change regardless of the amount of time spent by the lawyer on the case.
The advantage of this billing method is that the defendant is now certain of what the case would cost. In the event of unforeseen complications the attorney would bear the risk.
The disadvantage of case billing is the feeling of ripped-off the defendant may feel if the case concludes sooner than expected. The defendant would feel as if he has over-paid.
Conclusively, for hourly billing and case billing, a retainer fee could be demanded. Retainer fee is an advance payment made before the attorney starts the case. For hourly rate, the criminal lawyer may demand for a retainer fee that is equal to 30 hours payment. If the rate $100 then the retainer fee demanded would be $3000.
For case billing, a percentage of the total amount charged may be demanded as retainer. For instance, if the case billing is $4000 the criminal lawyer may demand for 50% which is equivalent to $2000 as retainer.
