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Criminal Defense and Duii
Mr. Veralrud is one of the most respected criminal defense attorneys in
Oregon. He defends cases throughout the state and has also defended cases in Washington State and California. He has substantial experience and expertise in Federal Court matters as well.
He has been practicing in the area of criminal law since 1978. Mr. Veralrud spent three and a half years at the Lane County District Attorney's Office, reaching the level of Felony Deputy, before joining his present firm initially as an associate, and then as a partner in the early 1980's. He has significant expertise in DUII, vehicular assault and manslaughter cases, claims of sexual abuse, drug defenses, theft cases and embezzlement cases (white collar matters). He also has background in resolving Juvenile Court claims, expungements and probation violation matters. We have developed a network of experts in investigation, research and scientific and forensic examinations, all aimed at providing an aggressive and winning defense for our clients. Talk with non-criminal practitioners in our area and you'll find that Mr. Veralrud has a reputation for securing some of the best results in criminal defense cases in our area.
Mr. Veralrud is a life member of the Oregon Criminal Defense Attorney’s Association, has been a featured speaker and moderator at many of its conferences and served as president of the organization from 1984 to 1986. Over the past ten years he has been a trial practice instructor at the University of Oregon School of Law. He is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys and the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association. He enjoys an “A” rating with the most respected attorney referral publication in the United States and has held that rating since 1989.
Attorney fees and costs in criminal defense cases:
Many of the more common criminal defense cases (DUII, minor thefts, shoplifting, petty misdemeanors) can be handled on a "flat fee" basis. Basically, if we are able to get the charge resolved either through dismissal or plea bargain before actually going to trial, the client has the option of paying a very competitive flat fee rather than incurring hourly attorney costs. Many clients prefer the certainty in proceeding this way and not having to worry about whether "the meter is running" every time they want to speak with the law firm about the status of their case. Based upon long-term experience in the area, we strive to quote flat fees that are generally commensurate with the amount of time one would expect to spend on a case of this nature. If the case simply cannot be negotiated to the satisfaction of the client and needs to proceed to trial, we are also willing to take the case on a "flat fee" for the cost of trial. Again, our long-term experience in this area lets us quote a fee to the client that is fair and provides a measure of certainty to the client based upon the amount of time reasonably to be expected on the average in a case of this nature.
The client always has the option of paying for attorney services based upon an hourly rate. We don't quote a specific hourly rate in this informational background because (1) rates can change over time, and (2) many non-complex criminal defense cases may well be quoted at a lower rate. Please contact us for more specifics (see our "Contact Information" link).
In more complex and serious criminal defense cases, the firm generally handles these matters on an hourly basis and will require that the client post a "retainer." A retainer is no more than an agreed upon amount of money to be placed in the client's trust account (if the case is to be handled on an hourly basis) and billed against as the case proceeds. We provide regular statements to clients letting them know how these funds are applied to the defense of any particular case. We are willing to discuss flat fees in more complicated cases, and many clients have enjoyed the certainty that comes with the payment of a flat fee. However, because more complex and serious cases are harder to predict in terms of the amount of time required for the best resolution, and because we have less ability to predict the amount of out-of-pocket costs for investigators, expert witnesses and other like costs, a flat fee in a more complicated case may or may not accurately reflect the amount of actual time spent on the case. (If the case ends up being easier to resolve than originally anticipated, there is an obvious advantage to the law firm. If the case takes much longer than originally anticipated when the flat fee was quoted, there is a clear advantage to the client.)
We great pains to discuss our fees carefully with clients before we are hired so that our clients can make the best and most informed decision.
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