Joel Hancock charges a flat fee, quoted before you hire him. Not an hourly rate, and not a number that moves once the case gets complicated. You are told what the representation costs, and that is what it costs. In most cases he can set up a payment plan. The first conversation is free.
Hancock Law Firm, PLLC · 601-A Cedar St, Beaufort, NC 28516
Call 252-515-1516 Ask what your case would cost
Why a flat fee instead of an hourly rate
An hourly rate makes the bill unpredictable at exactly the moment you can least afford a surprise. It also puts you and your lawyer on opposite sides of a small question: every phone call costs you money, so you stop calling.
A flat fee removes that. Once Joel is hired, the fee is set. Calling him with a question does not add to it. Neither does the case taking longer than anyone expected, which criminal cases routinely do.
What the fee depends on
Joel will not quote a number over the internet, because the honest answer depends on facts he does not have yet. What moves the number:
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| The charge itself | A speeding ticket and a felony drug charge are not comparable amounts of work. |
| Misdemeanor or felony | A felony may start in District Court and move to Superior Court, which is a longer road. |
| Your prior record | Prior convictions change both the exposure and what resolutions are realistically available. |
| Whether it is likely to be tried | A case set for trial takes substantially more preparation than one resolved at an early setting. |
| How many charges | Several charges arising from one stop are usually handled together rather than priced separately. |
What is included
The quoted fee covers the representation through the charge it was quoted for: the court appearances, the negotiation with the district attorney’s office, the review of the State’s evidence, and the phone calls in between. For many waivable traffic offenses Joel can appear on your behalf, which means you do not lose a day of work.
Two things are separate from the fee, and he will tell you about them up front rather than after:
- Court costs and fines are set by statute and paid to the court, not to the firm. They are not something a lawyer can discount.
- An appeal or a new charge is separate work and would be quoted separately.
Payment plans
In most cases Joel can arrange a payment plan rather than requiring the full fee up front. Whether that works, and on what schedule, is part of the first conversation. It costs nothing to ask, and being unable to pay it all today does not mean you cannot be represented.
When hiring a lawyer is not worth it
Joel studied economics before he studied law, and he applies it here. Some charges carry a fine and costs that come to less than what a defense would cost you. On those, hiring him is a bad trade, and he will say so on the phone instead of taking the case.
He would rather tell you that in a free five minute call than have you pay him to lose money. If the numbers do work in your favor, he will explain why.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a criminal defense attorney cost in Carteret County?
It depends on the charge, the record, and whether the case is likely to be tried, so no honest lawyer quotes a figure before hearing the facts. Joel Hancock quotes a flat fee once he knows what he is dealing with, and that quote does not change afterward.
Is the first consultation really free?
Yes. The first conversation costs nothing, whether or not you hire him, and it is confidential.
Do you offer payment plans?
In most cases, yes. The terms depend on the case and are discussed up front rather than after you have committed.
Are court costs included in the fee?
No. Court costs and any fine are set by statute and paid to the court. They are separate from the attorney fee, and Joel will tell you what to expect so the total is not a surprise.
What if I cannot afford a private attorney at all?
If you qualify financially, the court can appoint counsel, and you should ask the court about that at your first appearance. That is a real option and it is worth using if it fits your situation.
Ask what your case would cost
Call 252-515-1516 and describe the charge. Joel will tell you what the representation would cost and whether it makes financial sense in your situation. The conversation is free and confidential.
This page is general information about the firm’s practice, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. No fee amount is quoted here because the fee depends on the specific charge and circumstances.