Do I need a lawyer for my case?

It is always a good idea to consult with an attorney, but ultimately, that is a question you will have to answer for yourself.  While not every legal situation requires an attorney, most cases — especially involving criminal charges or serious injuries — benefit greatly from competent legal guidance. An attorney can protect your rights, handle complex procedures, and work to achieve the best possible outcome for your situation. We offer free consultations which may help you decide.

What types of cases does your firm handle?

We focus primarily on criminal defense and personal injury matters, including DUI, drug charges, assault, theft, auto accidents, wrongful death, and more. We may be able to assist you with other legal matters too. If you are unsure whether we can help, please contact us for a free consultation.

How much does it cost to hire Bell Law Firm to represent me?

It depends. Each case and circumstance is different, so it is difficult to quote you a fee without knowing more about your situation. An attorney will discuss the nature of your case during your initial consultation, and if you are a good fit for Bell Law Firm, give you an precise quote covering how much it will cost to retain us for our services.

Do you charge an hourly rate, flat rate, or contingency fee?

Fee arrangements typically depend on the type of case:

Criminal Defense: Fees vary based on the complexity of your charges and your overall situation. We charge a flat-rate meaning you pay a set amount for our services. We will discuss this fee during your consultation.

Personal Injury: We work on a contingency fee basis which means you don’t pay attorney fees unless we win your case. Most cases will have fixed costs associated with the litigation (e.g. filing fees, expert witness fees, postage, etc.) which are the clients responsibility whether we win or lose. The particulars of your situation will vary and we will discuss the anticipated cost of litigation during your consultation.

Family Law: If we chose to represent you in a divorce or custody matter, we typically require an initial retainer (deposit) and our services will be billed against that retainer at our hourly rates. In these types of payment arrangements, the client will be responsible for paying any additional attorney’s fees beyond the initial retainer, and may be required to replenish the retainer periodically before additional legal services are completed. Again, there are too many variables to predict what may be applicable to your situation, so it is important to consult with an attorney for more information specific to your case.

Other Matters: Various other matters such as expungements, firearm-rights petitions, and various other post-conviction remedies are typically handled on a flat-rate basis similar to criminal defense matters mentioned above. An attorney will quote you an exact fee during your initial consultation based on your situation, location, and other factors.

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept cash, check, and most major credit cards. We offer flexible payment options through secure client portals. Depending on your situation, we may also be able to offer payment plans where you pay an agreed upon amount each month from an authorized payment method.

Are there any additional processing fees for payments?

There are ZERO processing fees when paying by cash or check. If you choose to make an online or digital payment, our payment processor charges a convenience fee for their service which is the client’s responsibility. Most major credit cards are subject to a 2.95% convenience fee, and American Express payments will incur a 3.5% fee. ACH and eCheck payments are subject to a 1% fee.

Where is your office located? Do you meet in person?

We do not have a physical office space. We operate virtually to provide flexible, accessible legal services to every corner of Southwest Virginia as quickly as possible. Typically, we find that clients prefer to use secure technology - through phone calls or video conferencing - to communicate quickly and efficiently, saving time, travel, and stress. We utilize Clio - at no cost to our clients - so that clients may stay informed about their case, receive reminders about upcoming hearings, communicate with their attorney, and even upload and share documents. Initial consultations are only available by phone or video conference and may be scheduled HERE or through our other CONTACT OPTIONS. We are happy to meet retained clients in person as needed, and we have many different options available for in-person meetings depending on your location and needs.

Do you charge for an initial consultation?

No. Our initial consultations are 100% free of charge. 

How long will by initial consultation be?

Our initial consultations are 30 minutes long. If we find you are a good fit for Bell Law Firm, and if you chose to hire us, we will schedule a more in-depth meeting to fully and adequately discuss your circumstances.

What should I do to prepare for my consultation?

Collect any documents related to your case (e.g., court documents, medical records, insurance info, relevant pictures and/or videos, text messages, etc.) and be prepared to discuss the details honestly. The more information we have, the better we can help you.

Is my initial consultation confidential?

Absolutely. Whether you choose to hire us or not, your consultation is confidential. We take your privacy and trust very seriously.

I received a text message from (833) 551-4654… is it spam?

No, that’s us! Once you are a client of Bell Law Firm you may opt-in to receive text messages communications and reminders during our representation. Those messages will be sent to and received from (833) 551-4654. Please save that number to your contact list if you wish to communicate with us that way. You may text “stop” at any time to stop receiving communications this way, or “unstop” or “start” if you later change your mind again. This service will never be used as spam or marketing and is the quickest and easiest way to communicate with our law firm, so we strongly encourage our clients to opt-in to this service and to never restrict communication with your attorney. It’s ultimately your choice, but it can only hurt your case. Text messaging rates from your carrier may apply. Please see our Privacy Policy for more information.

How long will my case take to resolve?

Every case is different. Some matters resolve quickly through negotiation, while others may take months if litigation is involved. During your initial consultation we’ll give you a clear timeline based on the specifics of your case, and we will continue to keep you informed every step of the way. How the case progresses and whether you decide to accept an offer or go to trial will ultimately be your decision as the client.

Do you provide accommodations for people with disabilities under the American Disabilities Act (ADA)?

Bell Law is committed to ensuring accessibility for people with disabilities. We are continually improving the user experience for everyone and applying relevant accessibility standards to ensure our website and our legal services are accessible to all users.

If you are using a screen reader or other auxiliary aid and are having problems using this website, please contact us and we will make every effort to provide you with the information you need through an alternative communication method, or assist you in navigating the website.