When you hire a lawyer you will find that they need money up front to get started. This can be a little disconcerting when you are in a legal bind and you just need help, but you need to remember that the lawyer is not only the help that you need, but they also are running a business. The money that they ask for is for their services. You can shop around a bit and see where you can get the best rates. Most lawyers will allow you to make payments as you go, making your defense affordable.
Dallas criminal lawyers will usually expect a fee upfront. This fee is usually called a retainer and it is the amount of money that they need to get started on the case. This fee can range from as little as a couple hundred dollars to a few thousand. This will need to be paid to get the lawyer on the job, finding out what the evidence is and from where the charges originated, if you don't already know. Many people think that the retainer is all they will have to pay the lawyer, but generally this is not true, it is just a start up fee and it often goes quite quickly as new cases require a lot of work.
When your Dallas criminal defense lawyer comes on the case they will usually instruct you not to make any statements to law enforcement without them present. They will usually meet with you either in their office, or in the jail if you are in custody. Together you will create a defense plan based on what you have to say, your knowledge of the facts, and the lawyer's knowledge of the law and how it can be used against you by the prosecution.
Hiring a criminal lawyer is an important part of defending yourself when you have been accused of a crime. Without a lawyer you could be doing yourself a great disservice, even if you know that you are not guilty of the crime you are accused of. Be sure to meet with a lawyer to discuss your options, as it will likely be the best money that you have ever spent.