"Lisa Wayne has tried 150 cases before juries in the course of her decades-long career. Wayne, now executive director of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, said there's "no golden rule" when it comes to how expensive the legal bills might be. The cost depends on what charges a person faces, where they live, how experienced their lawyer is and whether that person needs to hire experts in advance of trial, she said."
""Most people have to figure out, out of pocket," Wayne said. "And figure out, do they have the savings? Do they have friends and family that can help them? Do they take mortgages on their homes? It can be a very stressful situation for most individuals." Three other longtime criminal lawyers put the estimate at between $1 million and $5 million at a small law firm, to $25 million or more at a large one."
President Trump's public calls for prosecutions have coincided with recent indictments of figures such as former FBI Director Jim Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, and the White House has signaled more cases may follow. Legal defense costs in high-profile criminal matters vary widely based on the specific charges, geographic location, counsel experience and the need for expert witnesses. Most defendants must cover expenses out of pocket, often tapping savings, family assistance or home equity. Veteran lawyers estimate $1 million–$5 million at small firms and $25 million or more at large firms. Comey turned to former trial partner Patrick Fitzgerald, who came out of retirement to help defend him.
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