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Pricing guide · Updated June 13, 2026

How much does criminal defense lawyer cost in Wilmington?

Real criminal defense lawyer pricing in Wilmington, NC, drawn from the 9 companies we rank on actual Google reviews. Published starting prices run from $100 to $200. Below is the full breakdown, what drives the number, and how to get a fair quote.

$100typical starting price
$150median across the field
$200higher-end / larger jobs

Based on published starting prices from 9 criminal defense lawyers in Wilmington, NC. Cityvetted analysis, updated June 13, 2026.

In Wilmington, the lowest published starting price among our top-ranked criminal defense lawyers comes from The Shotwell Law Group, PLLC at $100, while Goolsby Law Firm, PLLC sits at the higher end near $200. That $100 spread usually reflects scope rather than quality: the cheaper number often covers a smaller or simpler job. Most of these companies quote after a visit.

What top-rated criminal defense lawyers in Wilmington charge

Starting prices published by the highest-scoring companies in our Wilmington ranking. Use these as a baseline, then get a firm quote for your specific job.

CompanyRatingTypical pricing
The Shotwell Law Group, PLLC5.0 ★$100 to $500 per hour
Minick Law, P.C.5.0 ★$100 to $300 for consultations
McGee Law Firm5.0 ★$150 to $400 per hour
Goolsby Law Firm, PLLC4.9 ★$200 to $500 per hour
James Rutherford, Attorney at Law4.9 ★$150 to $400 per hour
Collins Law Firm4.8 ★$150 to $350 per hour
Marcilliat & Mills PLLC4.9 ★$200 to $450 per hour
Woody White Law Firm PLLC4.7 ★$150 to $400 per hour
Michelle Sparrow Criminal Defense Wilmington4.7 ★$100 to $300 per hour

What drives the price of criminal defense lawyer in Wilmington

Two criminal defense lawyers can quote the same job and land hundreds of dollars apart, because the price is set less by the company than by the work itself. For criminal defense lawyer, the factors that move the number most are:

Before you compare quotes, write down your version of each of these. When every criminal defense lawyers prices the identical scope, the cheapest bid is finally a real deal rather than a different, smaller job in disguise.

Frequently asked questions

How much does criminal defense lawyer cost in Wilmington?

Across the 9 criminal defense lawyers we rank in Wilmington, NC, published starting prices run from $100 (The Shotwell Law Group, PLLC) up to $200 (Goolsby Law Firm, PLLC), with the middle of the field near $150. Your final cost depends on the scope and size of the job and the grade of materials used, so treat these as a floor and get a firm quote for your specific job.

Why do criminal defense lawyer prices vary so much in Wilmington?

Two quotes for the "same" job often price different work. For criminal defense lawyers, the biggest drivers are the scope and size of the job, the grade of materials used, permits and inspections where they apply, how accessible the work area is. A low number is frequently a quote that quietly left one of these out, which is why the spread between our cheapest and priciest pick here is $100.

How do I get an accurate criminal defense lawyer quote in Wilmington?

Write down exactly what you want done, hand the identical scope to two or three criminal defense lawyers, and insist on an itemized estimate rather than a lump sum. For anything beyond a basic service call, a real bid needs eyes on the job, not a number over the phone.

Want the full ranking, not just prices?

See which criminal defense lawyers in Wilmington actually score highest on reviews, longevity, and service quality.

See the top Criminal Defense Lawyers in Wilmington