When working any out-of-state case, we normally average 15 hours plus per day, more during trial, however, we limit our daily rate to $1,250.00 per day, based on just over an 8-hour day at our standard hourly rate of $150.00 per hour. By capping the fee at just over eight hours, the overall fee we charge a client is considerably less than if we charged for every hour that we actually worked.

On occasion, we are asked if potential clients can send material to us to review. In that event, the client is billed $150.00 per hour for each hour spent with a minimum retainer of $2,500.00.

When working out-of-state, in addition to the daily rate, necessary expenses to be considered are travel, car rental, motel, meals and mileage to and from our local airport. Additional expenses, such as gasoline beyond the initial tank, copy costs, tolls, parking, etc., are billed to the client once the trip is completed.

Any and all scheduling and financial issues are handled by our office manager, Brenda Taylor. She can usually be reached at our main office from Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Brenda can also be contacted at other times, or in case of an emergency, by leaving her a voice message at our office, (601) 824-1774, and she will return the call.

On very rare occasions, and only in very serious cases, we offer an alternative to our hourly rate to "already established" clients who have been falsely accused and our projected involvement is expected to be detailed and lengthy. For a detailed explanation of this option, see the link, Flat Fee Explanation. This option assures our continued involvement in a case until it's completion, regardless of how long it takes.

Retainer Specifics

• Every client, new or existing, is charged a retainer fee prior to any time being set aside or trip being scheduled. That retainer is based on an estimation of the total number of days necessary to complete the assignment, plus all necessary expense.

  • First time clients are required to pay all estimated expenses plus one-third of the total fee, in full, prior to our scheduling time or making any travel arrangements. This payment must be in the form of a money order or cashiers check. The outstanding two-third fee balance, also payable by money order or cashiers check, is due and payable, in full, at the time of our arrival, not our departure.

  • First time clients are required to pay all estimated expenses plus the total fee, in full, when a trip is scheduled to any location other than where they are.

  • Existing clients or clients that are direct referrals from an attorney, are required to pay all estimated expenses plus the total fee, in advance, prior to our scheduling time or making any travel arrangements.

  • Refund Policy - Once a trip is booked, there will be no refund of any money a client has paid to us. It takes time for us to schedule a trip, make all arrangements and prepare a client file. If a client cancels a trip within two weeks of that trip's scheduled date, they will owe the entire trip balance as it would not be practical for us to attempt and fill that time slot with another case. If a trip is canceled, a client can use the amount they paid, for our services at our standard hourly rate, for a period of time up to, but not exceeding one year from the date the trip was canceled. Under no circumstances should anyone retain our services unless they fully understand and agree to this policy.

Important Issues

• Any and all time we spend for, or on behalf of a potential client or a client, either prior to, or upon completion of any out-of-state trip, is charged at our standard hourly rate of $150.00 per hour, with a minimum charge of .25 hour (1/4 hour) per activity. The fee that a client was charged for a trip includes only what was accomplished during that trip. That fee does not cover additional work or our continued involvement prior to or once the trip is complete. This includes, but is not limited to, reading and responding to email and telephone conversations.

• On all work done outside the United States, the client is responsible for paying the daily rate plus all necessary expenses. The entire retainer and estimated expenses are paid in advance and prior to any travel arrangements. The minimum charge for any work done outside the United States is five (5) days. In most cases, the only delay in travel outside the United States would be a country that required a special visa added to our passport. For additional and important information specific to our standard fee policy, see Our Policy

False Allegation Estimates

• As a general rule of thumb, where there has been an allegation, but no indictment, it takes an initial trip of three (3) to five (5) days. Where there has been an indictment, the initial trip averages five (5) to seven (7) days. Each depends on the amount of material to be reviewed and work to be accomplished. On more serious matters, some cases have actually taken 15 plus days, not including trial. The total time we spend is a direct reflection of exactly what is required to resolve the matter. We do not "waste" time, but we will not shortcut anything in these cases. They are deadly serious. Mistakes can easily result in lengthy prison terms. The minimum charge for any out-of-state work is 2 days and all travel days are charged as work days.

Conviction Reversal Estimates

• On cases where we are retained to assist in reversing a wrongful conviction, the initial trip normally averages between five (5) and nine (9) days, depending on the amount of material to be studied, including, but not limited to trial transcripts, preliminary hearing transcripts and the entire attorney file. In order to reverse a conviction, you must offer absolute proof as to why the conviction should be reversed, be it ineffective assistance of counsel, prosecutorial misconduct, or the fact that new evidence was obtained. In those cases where there is evidence of ineffective assistance of counsel or prosecutorial misconduct, depend on the fact that some time will be spent in attempting to obtain all case files. I have yet to see an attorney, guilty of ineffective assistance, willing to provide his entire file when that file itself could easily be the cornerstone for a legal malpractice action against them. It is vital that any potential client understand that the initial trip is only for the purpose of attempting to determine what happened and what can be done to reverse the situation. It is totally unrealistic to believe that anyone can reverse a conviction in 4 to 9 days.