Common Questions
Below are the questions I most often hear from my potential clients and my answers to them:
What forms of payment do you take?
I accept cash, personal checks, money orders, VISA and MasterCard.
How much do you charge for an initial consultation?
Nothing. It’s free. I will discuss your case with you face to face and tell you whether I believe I can help you. Please bring any photos, court papers and other documents you have when you come in to see me for the first time. The more information I have, the better I can evaluate your case.
What is your hourly rate and how much is your retainer fee?
I do not have a fixed hourly rate. A lawyer’s fees must be reasonable. The reasonableness of my fee is something I evaluate on a case-by-case basis because not all legal matters are the same. Some cases are harder and longer than others. Typically, the rate I quote for criminal or dependency and neglect cases ranges from $180 to $200 per hour. How much of a retainer I charge up front depends on how long I expect the representation to run and whether the case is likely to go to trial.
Do you offer any sort of discount off your fees?
Yes. I offer a 25% discount off any hourly billing rate I quote to: members of the United States Armed Forces (including Reservists), U.S. Military retirees, peace officers, firefighters and citizens over the age of 65.
Will you bill me for telephone conferences?
Yes; if I am giving you legal advice. My mind and my time are my merchandise. That is how I feed my family. I won’t bill a client for a short phone call making an appointment, confirming a court date, or checking on the status of his current retainer balance. I do bill however, when I give a client legal advice regardless of whether that takes place in person or over the telephone.
Do you do ever represent anyone for free?
Yes. If you are the minor child (under the age of 18) or spouse of an American Soldier killed in action in the Global War on Terrorism, or if you are the minor child or spouse of a Colorado peace officer or firefighter killed in the line of duty, I will consider representing you free of charge. The decision to represent a client for free is made at my sole discretion. Free representation does not include the out-of-pocket costs and expenses of litigation and trial preparation. Expenses for such things as travel, lodging, copying, postage, court filing fees, discovery costs, process server fees, witness fees, deposition costs, and other services of this sort remain the sole responsibility of the client.
Who from your law office will work on my case?
Me. There are no middlemen at my office. I do all of my own work and I talk to all of my clients directly.