Brooks Law Firm
Criminal defense in the suburban municipal courts is handled on a flat fee, and it usually costs more than the same charge at 201 Poplar. In the Bartlett, Germantown, and Collierville municipal courts, a misdemeanor starts at $750 and typically runs $1,500–$2,500; a felony starts at $1,500 and typically runs $2,500–$5,000; a first-offense DUI starts at $2,500; and a domestic assault starts at $1,500 for a misdemeanor or $2,500–$5,000 for a felony. We quote your exact flat fee after a free consultation. Call or text the criminal line at 901-412-2973 or the office at (901) 324-5000.
Suburb criminal lawyer fees by charge
| Charge (Bartlett · Germantown · Collierville) | Our flat fee |
|---|---|
| Misdemeanor | from $750; typically $1,500–$2,500 |
| Felony | from $1,500; typically $2,500–$5,000 |
| DUI (first offense) | from $2,500 |
| Domestic assault (misdemeanor) | from $1,500 |
| Domestic assault (felony — aggravated / strangulation) | $2,500–$5,000 |
These are attorney fees. Court costs, fines, and any program or interlock costs are separate and paid to the court or provider, not to us.
Why a case in the suburbs costs more than at 201 Poplar
The floors above are the same as our General Sessions floors — but the typical fee runs higher in the suburbs, and there is a real reason for that. The Bartlett, Germantown, and Collierville municipal courts are simply harder jurisdictions. Prosecutors there negotiate less, dismissals are rarer, and a suburban case usually takes more appearances to resolve than the same charge downtown in Shelby County General Sessions. That additional work is what moves a suburban misdemeanor from the $750 floor toward the $1,500–$2,500 range, and why a suburban DUI starts at $2,500 rather than the $1,500 we charge in General Sessions.
What drives the cost
- The charge. A misdemeanor, a felony, a DUI, and a domestic assault are four different amounts of work.
- Which court. Bartlett, Germantown, and Collierville each run their own docket with their own prosecutors and judges.
- First offense or repeat. A prior conviction raises the penalties and the work.
- Resolved or tried. Most of a trial fee is preparation — see the note on trials below.
- Aggravating facts. A high BAC, an accident, an injury, or a weapon changes the exposure and the defense.
If your case goes to trial
The typical ranges above are for cases resolved without a trial. A case that has to be prepared for and tried costs more — a first-offense DUI taken to a jury trial, for example, runs $7,500–$10,000, because most of that fee is preparation. We will tell you up front if trial is likely and what it would cost before you decide anything.
A note on where these numbers apply
The fees on this page are for cases handled in the Bartlett, Germantown, and Collierville municipal courts. A felony that is bound over from municipal court “upstairs” to Shelby County Criminal Court at 201 Poplar may be quoted differently once it moves. Cases arising in Millington, Arlington, Lakeland, and Cordova are generally handled in Shelby County General Sessions and priced at our General Sessions rates — see our general criminal defense cost page.
Flat fee, not an hourly meter
We quote one flat fee for a defined scope of work, so you are not billed by the hour for every call or question. The free consultation gives you the number in writing before you commit. Se habla Español. If paying at once is a hardship, ask about an arrangement.
Other suburb charges
Hold a commercial license? A CDL ticket is priced separately by court — see what a CDL ticket lawyer costs ($1,000 in Bartlett, Germantown, and Collierville). For an ordinary traffic ticket, see traffic ticket costs. You can also read how we defend cases in Bartlett, Germantown, and Collierville.
Talk to a suburban-court lawyer — free
Tell us which court you are facing and what you are charged with, and we will tell you the fee. Call the office at (901) 324-5000, or call or text the criminal line at 901-412-2973, for a free, confidential consultation.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a criminal lawyer cost in Bartlett, Germantown, or Collierville?
At Brooks Law Firm, a misdemeanor in those municipal courts starts at $750 and typically runs $1,500–$2,500; a felony starts at $1,500 and typically runs $2,500–$5,000; a first-offense DUI starts at $2,500; and a domestic assault starts at $1,500 (misdemeanor) or $2,500–$5,000 (felony). These are attorney fees; court costs are separate.
Why does a case in the suburbs cost more than one at 201 Poplar?
The Bartlett, Germantown, and Collierville municipal courts are harder jurisdictions — prosecutors negotiate less, dismissals are rarer, and cases take more appearances than in Shelby County General Sessions. The floor fee is the same, but the typical fee runs higher because of that extra work, which is also why a suburban DUI starts at $2,500 rather than $1,500.
Is the fee flat or hourly?
Flat. We quote one price for a defined scope, so you are not billed by the hour. You get the number in writing after a free consultation.
What if my case goes to trial?
The typical ranges are for cases resolved without a trial. A tried case costs more — a first-offense DUI jury trial, for instance, runs $7,500–$10,000, since most of that fee is preparation. We tell you up front if trial is likely and what it would cost.
Do these fees cover Millington or Cordova?
No. Cases in Millington, Arlington, Lakeland, and Cordova are generally handled in Shelby County General Sessions and priced at our General Sessions rates, which are lower than the suburban municipal-court fees on this page.