Is $400 an hour a lot for a lawyer?
Flat fees are common among New York traffic lawyers. A $400 flat fee is reasonable for a New York speeding-ticket lawyer when it includes case review, filings, and at least one court appearance; $400 falls inside the $250–$500 basic-representation range.
It is high when it excludes extra appearances, covers only a consultation, or adds separate charges for adjournments.
Key Things to Know:
- Flat fees are common among New York traffic lawyers
- A $400 flat fee is reasonable for a New York speeding-ticket lawyer when it includes case review, filings, and at least one court appearance
- $400 falls inside the $250–$500 basic-representation range
- It is high when it excludes extra appearances, covers only a consultation, or adds separate charges for adjournments
Whether hiring counsel makes sense usually comes down to the cost of the fee versus the cost of points, higher insurance, and the burden of handling the case alone.

