By Joshua Wilson, Attorney at Higher Level Legal
A criminal defense lawyer at Higher Level Legal starts at $5,000 for a Missouri DWI or felony case and at about $1,500 for a misdemeanor, depending on the specific charge. The final cost depends on the charge, the court, the evidence, and whether the case resolves before trial.
Criminal cases are easier to price than family cases because the charge and the court set much of the work. A first offense misdemeanor and a felony follow very different paths, and the cost follows that path.
How Much Does a Criminal Defense Lawyer Cost in Missouri?
At Higher Level Legal, DWI and felony defense start at $5,000, and misdemeanor defense starts at about $1,500, depending on the specific charge. The charge level, the court, the evidence, and whether the case goes to trial decide where a case lands above that starting point.
Criminal cases use the same evergreen retainer as our family law cases. Fees are drawn from the retainer as the work is done, and you replenish it weekly in smaller amounts instead of one large payment.
We explain the expected cost of your case at your consultation, after reviewing the charge and the court it is filed in. Our criminal defense page lists the charges Higher Level Legal handles.
What Drives the Cost of a Criminal Case?
The cost of a criminal case follows the amount of work the case requires. These factors drive that work:
- The charge level: Missouri classifies misdemeanors from class A to class D and felonies from class A to class E. A felony case usually involves more court dates, more discovery, and more serious consequences than a misdemeanor case.
- The evidence: Police reports, video, lab results, and breath test records all need review, and some cases call for an expert.
- Prior offenses: A prior record can raise the charge level, which raises the stakes and the work involved.
- Trial or resolution: A case that resolves before trial takes less work than one that goes to a jury or bench trial.
- Related proceedings: A DWI arrest can also start a separate driver’s license suspension process, and some charges affect a protection order or custody case at the same time.
Because these factors differ from case to case, a single price quoted before reviewing the charge would be misleading.
How Much Does a DWI Lawyer Cost in Missouri?
At Higher Level Legal, DWI defense starts at $5,000, paid through an evergreen retainer. A repeat offense, a felony level DWI, or a case that goes to trial costs more than a first offense that resolves early.
Under RSMo 577.010, a first offense DWI in Missouri is a class B misdemeanor. The charge rises to a class A misdemeanor for a prior offender and to class E, D, and C felonies for persistent, aggravated, and chronic offenders. Our DWI defense page explains each level.
What Else Does a DWI Cost in Missouri?
A DWI costs more than the lawyer. These costs can apply on top of legal fees:
- Fines: Under RSMo 558.002, the maximum fine is $1,000 for a class B misdemeanor and $2,000 for a class A misdemeanor, plus court costs.
- Ignition interlock device: Many DWI cases require an ignition interlock device. Under HB 1740, Missouri offers a reduced device cost (10 percent of the standard cost) for drivers at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level.
- License reinstatement and insurance: Reinstating a suspended license carries fees, and a DWI usually raises insurance premiums.
- Jail time and lost work: Under RSMo 577.010, a BAC between 0.15 and 0.20 percent carries a minimum of 48 hours in jail, and a BAC above 0.20 percent carries a minimum of five days, when a suspended imposition of sentence is not granted.
- Alcohol education or treatment: Courts often order an alcohol education or treatment program, which has its own fee.
How Much Does a Misdemeanor or Felony Lawyer Cost?
At Higher Level Legal, felony defense starts at $5,000. Misdemeanor defense varies more and starts at about $1,500, depending on the specific charge. A felony usually costs more than a misdemeanor because it carries more serious penalties, more court settings, and more evidence to review.
The penalty range shows the difference in stakes. Under RSMo 558.002, the maximum fine for a Class D misdemeanor is $500. The maximum fine for a Class C felony, a Class D felony, or a Class E felony is $10,000, before any jail or prison time.
Public Defender or Private Attorney?
The Missouri State Public Defender represents people who cannot afford a lawyer. Under RSMo 600.086, eligibility depends on income, ability to post bond, and number of dependents, and the person asking for a public defender must show they qualify.
A private attorney is an option for anyone who does not qualify or who wants to choose their own lawyer. Bond is a separate cost from legal fees; our article on bond for suspects in Missouri explains how bond works.
How Can I Keep Criminal Defense Costs Down?
The most effective way to control the cost of a criminal case is to involve a lawyer early. Early review can catch evidence problems and deadlines before they become expensive.
- Talk to a lawyer before your first court date.
- Do not discuss the case with anyone other than your lawyer, including on social media.
- Keep every ticket, bond paper, and court notice together.
- Attend every court date on time, since a missed date can lead to new problems.
Read more about how AI is changing legal work, and why it has not lowered fees yet.
Missouri Criminal Defense Cost FAQ
How much does a criminal defense lawyer cost in Missouri?
At Higher Level Legal, DWI and felony defense start at $5,000, and misdemeanor defense starts at about $1,500, depending on the specific charge. The charge level, the court, the evidence, and whether the case goes to trial decide where a case lands above that starting point.
How much does a DWI lawyer cost in Missouri?
At Higher Level Legal, DWI defense starts at $5,000, paid through an evergreen retainer. A repeat offense, a felony level DWI, or a case that goes to trial costs more than a first offense that resolves early.
How much does a DWI cost in Missouri beyond the lawyer?
A first offense DWI in Missouri is a class B misdemeanor under RSMo 577.010, which carries a maximum fine of $1,000 under RSMo 558.002. Court costs, an ignition interlock device, license reinstatement, and higher insurance premiums can add to that total.
Do I qualify for a public defender in Missouri?
The Missouri State Public Defender represents people who cannot afford a lawyer. Under RSMo 600.086, eligibility depends on income, ability to post bond, and number of dependents, and the person asking for a public defender must show they qualify.
Why can’t a lawyer quote one price before reviewing my case?
A criminal case has no single price because the work depends on the charge, the court, the evidence, and whether the case goes to trial. A quote given before reviewing those facts would be misleading.
Schedule a Consultation About Your Criminal Case
Higher Level Legal defends DWI, misdemeanor, and felony charges throughout Cass County and the Kansas City metro from our Raymore office. During your consultation, we review the charge and the court and explain the expected cost of your case.
Call (816) 331-9968 or Schedule a Consultation online.
