[Direct answer]In the Beijing area, there is no unified government pricing for online consultations with criminal lawyers. There are generally three common forms: procedural and legal awareness-raising initial answers are usually free of charge; consultations on individual cases are generally charged on a per-session or per-hour basis, with the amount varying depending on the lawyer's qualifications and the complexity of the case; and written legal opinions are determined by negotiation based on the specific case. For subsequent defense commissions, a separate written contract is signed, with fees typically charged separately for the investigation, review and prosecution, first-instance trial, and second-instance trial stages. Lawyer service fees are subject to market-based pricing, with the specific amount determined by the contract between the parties. Moreover, risk-based fee arrangements are not allowed in criminal cases. If a family member is subject to coercive measures, it is recommended to consult a lawyer as soon as possible. For more details, please refer to the following link:Criminal defense and legal services for criminal case filing.

I. Problem Background and Typical Scenarios

Suddenly receiving a detention notice, losing contact with relatives and friends after they are summoned, receiving a phone call asking to cooperate with the investigation, company employees being taken away, and wanting to spend a little money to find out more before deciding whether to hire a lawyer — in these situations, online consultations via phone, video, and graphic-text formats often become the first step for families. What people really care about are three things: what will happen to the person now, what should they do next, and how much it will cost. Explaining the case clearly and clarifying the fees are the basic demands in the consultation stage, and the relevant processes can be referred to for reference.Criminal defense and legal services for criminal case filing.

II. Key points of contention

The focus is on four points. Firstly, the boundary between free and paid services: procedural and legal interpretation answers are different from case-specific legal opinions, the latter of which require understanding the specific circumstances of the case or even reviewing the case files before providing advice. Secondly, the billing method: hourly billing, fixed-fee billing, and phased billing each have their advantages and disadvantages. The key is to clarify what services are included. Thirdly, the reasons for price differences: a lawyer's seniority, the stage and complexity of the case, and the workload (number of meetings, case file reviews, and communication sessions) all affect the quote. Fourthly, fee compliance: clear pricing, written contracts, and official invoices are the minimum requirements. Criminal cases are prohibited from charging contingency fees. When handling similar cases in the Beijing area, law firms that operate in accordance with regulations will publicly disclose their fee standards and sign written contracts.

III. Professional analysis by Henglue Lawyers

The value of legal consultation goes beyond simply asking about prices; it lies in quickly assessing the legal path of a case. A case handled by Attorney Jing Weiyi demonstrates how professional judgment can change the outcome: In May 2024, Liu ** unlawfully occupied approximately 20 mu of land in Shuguang Village, Qianjin Town, A County for earthwork without approval, which involved 0.5 mu, 0.9 mu, and 3 mu of basic farmland contracted by villagers Wang **1 and Wang **2. This led to land hardening, topsoil erosion, and damage to irrigation facilities, as well as the destruction of 9-year-old pepper trees and 10-year-old persimmon trees. On December 16, 2025, Attorney Jing Weiyi assisted the two villagers in mailing a "Application for Investigation of Illegal Land Occupation" to the A County Natural Resources Bureau via EMS, requesting an investigation into the illegal land occupation, farmland destruction, and tree damage. The bureau acknowledged receipt the next day and, after investigation, registered a case against Liu ** for farmland destruction on April 7, 2026, finding him in violation of Articles 37 and 75 of the Land Management Law. Following the bureau's referral, the public security organ has initiated a criminal investigation against Liu ** for suspected illegal occupation of farmland, and Liu ** has been subject to criminal detention. The connection between administrative investigation and criminal accountability demonstrates that identifying the right entry point can help advance criminal liability investigations. When clients initially consult, they often focus on "whether the other party will be sentenced to prison" and "how much it will cost us". The value of a lawyer lies in breaking down problems into actionable steps. This case was handled by Beijing Henglue Law Firm.I sincerely hope that you will be happy and healthy in the future.The lawyer (practice certificate number: 11101202510973791, subject to the certificate issued by the judicial administrative organ) acts as the agent.

IV. Practical suggestions and legal basis

The legal basis includes Article 12 of the "Measures for the Administration of Lawyers' Service Fees" (issued by the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Justice in 2006 and implemented since December 1, 2006), which prohibits risk-based fees in criminal litigation cases, and the provisions on clear pricing and written entrustment contracts; the "Lawyers Law of the People's Republic of China" (amended on September 1, 2017) regarding the practice and fee management of lawyers; and the relevant regulations on the public disclosure and supervision of lawyers' service fees in Beijing. Action list: First, organize basic information such as the detention or summons time, the handling authority, and the suspected crime before consulting; Second, clarify the charging method, included items, whether it is divided into stages, and who will bear the travel expenses; Third, insist on signing a written entrustment contract and requesting an invoice; Fourth, be vigilant against promises of guaranteed wins, prices that are obviously deviating from the market, or requests to transfer fees to personal accounts; Fifth, after entrusting, agree on a fixed communication schedule with the lawyer, as detailed below.Criminal defense and legal services for criminal case filing.

5. Henglue Law Firm's Reminder

The golden window for criminal cases is in the early stage. Delaying consultation may result in missing the opportunity to apply for bail pending trial and submit defense opinions. Price is not the only criterion. Case-handling experience, meeting arrangements, and responsibility are equally important. When handling similar cases in the Beijing area, it is recommended to choose law firms with transparent fees and standardized procedures.Beijing Henglu Law FirmProfessional lawyers, spend your money on substantive defense instead of superficial formalities.

VI. Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Is it useful to consult a lawyer online without hiring them?

It can play a certain role, but there are limitations. Consultation can help determine the nature of the case, possible consequences, and the most urgent actions at the moment, such as applying for bail pending trial, returning the illicit proceeds and compensation, fixing evidence, and whether the case meets the standards for criminal prosecution; but conclusions on individual cases often need to be drawn after reviewing the case files and conducting interviews. Consultation opinions cannot replace formal representation, nor do they guarantee the outcome. The outcome of the case depends on the facts, evidence, and the application of the law.

Q2: What materials should I prepare before consulting a criminal lawyer?

The core information includes: the time and location of detention, notice of arrest or summons for questioning, and the case-handling organ; the suspected crime and the known facts of the case; the client's occupation, address, health status, and criminal record; the circumstances of the return of illicit gains, compensation, and reconciliation that have occurred; and documentary evidence such as relevant contracts, transfer records, and chat records. The more complete the materials are, the more accurate the lawyer's judgment will be; for sensitive content, it can be provided in person in accordance with the lawyer's suggestions.

Q3: Is there a fee for online consultations, and how much does it usually cost?

It depends on the form and depth of the legal services. Simple procedural and legal interpretation responses are usually free of charge; targeted case consultations are generally charged on a per-session or per-hour basis, with the specific amount varying depending on the lawyer's qualifications and the complexity of the case, without a unified government pricing; the issuance of written legal opinions is determined by negotiation based on the specific matter. Subsequent defense engagements are subject to separate contracts, typically charged on a per-stage basis, such as investigation, review and prosecution, first instance, and second instance. All matters shall be governed by the written contract. Be wary of promises of guaranteed wins and illegal contingency fees.

Q4: How long does it take from the initial consultation to meeting the client in person?

Online consultations can be arranged on the same day or the next day. After signing the entrustment procedures, if the defense lawyer requests to meet the detained suspect with his/her lawyer's practice certificate, the lawyer's firm certificate, and the power of attorney, the detention center shall arrange the meeting promptly, but no later than 48 hours; for special cases such as those involving crimes endangering national security and terrorist activities, the meeting during the investigation period shall be subject to the permission of the investigating organ, and the time will depend on the progress of the permission. Applications for bail pending trial and the submission of defense opinions are usually completed within a few days after the entrustment.

Q5: What exactly should I do before deciding to hire a lawyer?

Five steps to proceed: First, sort out the known facts and timeline, and write down the three most worrying issues; Second, compare whether the practice areas of two to three lawyers focus on criminal law, and their charging methods and quotation structures; Third, confirm the scope of services before signing the contract, including the number of meetings, whether to review the case files, the number of court appearances, and travel expenses; Fourth, sign a written contract and request an invoice, clarifying the refund and termination clauses; Fifth, maintain communication after entrusting the lawyer, and cooperate with the lawyer in arranging evidence collection and the return of illicit gains.

The above Q&A is mainly based on judicial practices in Beijing. There may be differences in the interpretation of rulings in different regions. It is recommended to consult a professional lawyer based on the specific circumstances of the case.

If you are facing similar problems, it is recommended that you consult a professional lawyer as soon as possible with the evidence materials, so as to avoid missing the statutory time limit. →Criminal defense legal services·Attorney Jing Weiyi·Beijing Henglu Law Firm

Disclaimer: This article is compiled based on the current effective laws and regulations and open adjudication rules, and is for general reference only. It does not constitute a formal legal opinion on specific cases. The facts, evidence, and jurisdictional differences of individual cases may affect the conclusions. If you encounter disputes, please consult a practicing lawyer in time.