Average Price for a Lawyer First Offence?

My coworker was out $5000 plus the fine.

$500

Why do mention being a white kid? Do you think that makes a difference financially? Here is a site where you might be able to get some more information, and here is a lawyer who you might want to call.

I found the following at the second site:

*Possession of Marijuana (less than 20 grams) – Misdemeanor Offense:
Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in the State of Florida and in the United States. The simple possession of marijuana / cannabis is a misdemeanor that carries a sentence of up to 12 months in jail. Despite the fact that marijuana use is common, the penalties for possession of marijuana are harsh particularly in Hillsborough and Pinellas County, Florida. Regardless of whether adjudication is withheld or not, a possession of marijuana / cannabis sentence can haunt you even after you have finished serving the probationary term.

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First Offense:
Even for a first offense of possession of cannabis, prosecutors typically ask for 12 months probation, a series of random urine screens, community service hours, and court costs and fines. Many people charged with possession of marijuana do not realize how expensive and time consuming it will be to complete the probationary terms. In those cases where all of the conditions are not meet within the time allotted, a violation of probation will result in an arrest warrant being issued, possibly without a bond amount being set.

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Drivers License Suspension
If you are convicted of possession of marijuana / cannabis, an automatic and immediate two (2) year suspension of your driver’s license (with a hard suspension during the first year before you are even eligible to apply for a business purpose only or hardship license). If the court withholds adjudication, the suspension of your driver’s license can be avoided. However, even for first offenses, prosecutors routinely ask for harsh penalties for possession of marijuana / cannabis cases included 12 months probation, a drug and alcohol evaluation, completion of any follow up drug treatment (typically 8 drug classes), random urine screens, community service and steep fines and court costs. If you agree to this type of harsh probation sentence, and then violate the probation, the court can then “adjudicate” you of the underlying possession of marijuana charge (causing the two year suspension of your driver’s license).*

Wow, i’m in FL and I had no idea it was that harsh.

Don’t get caught or move to another state.

Good lawyers charge an hourly fee. I’ve hearf some small town lawyers charge as little as $150/hr. Most of the criminal lawyers I have heard of charge $300–500/hr with a fixed retainer up front.

Since you know what you are considering is a crime,‘white kid’, I KNOW that you aren’t expecting your parents to cover your costs. What might be more cost effective is to use a public defender, plead no contest and pay the fine. Then get a really good job and start saving up your money so you can get a good lawyer. That way you can get past your second offense without jail time.

Or better yet, just don’t do it in the first place.

Offense

Just do the time.