Does a Public Defender, that is assigned to you, really just as good as a one for hire?

lpaw44

they sure do

Eagle

When getting charged with misdemeanors they are both pretty much equal.
When it comes to felony charges a public defender is not the best idea. I don't say this because i don't think they're good lawyers. I say it because being a public defender means that they always have large numbers of clients at one time. A lot of times PD's will have as many as 15-20 clients at one time. With this many clients a PD does not have the time needed to prepare for a long trial so they will try to plea bargain as often as possible. Whereas a lawyer that you hire can control the number of clients he/she has at one time, and spend more time preparing for your case. Also lawyers that you hire will sometimes be able to find loopholes that a PD doesn't have the time to research.

b000yeah

GREAT QUESTION!!! (and timely to me) I have a trial in 9 days. it is a possession of meth charge. I am in Bend oregon. here, there is a PD office, paid by state, and private attnys MUST accept a certain % of cases and be Pd's. i was issued a PD. he says to me "you do the footwork, build your dfense, i'll represent you, i've got murders and rapes to defend and im not going to spend alot of time on your case for $300" i plead NOT GUILTY he asks me "whats my defense??" I knew i was doomed and geting 6 months, i then fired him, hired a new attny ($2000) and she got me 10 days jail and 18 mos probation. BEST 2 GRAND I EVER SPENT

fiftycentsthisyear

Public Defenders may be trying their best but have very little resources to back them up. I did a stint as a PD and was paid $28.00 per case. I thought I would pick up some good will and learn about the judges in my county. Instead I was treated like dirt. I think the wrongly arrested (morally and legally Innocent) defendant was better off before the Supreme Court decided that all people charged with a crime that could result in imprisonment were entitled to legal counsel. Further I think the legal system was better off too.

jmiller

Are you serious. NO! My daughter called the police because her soon to be ex was beating her up. She was 7 months pregnant. When the cops got there, they decided to arrest both her and her ex for spousal assault.
Her court appointed lawyer said she needed to plead no contest. I was appalled. He didn't want to even fight the case.
We told him to take a walk, went into court and she represented herself. She explained that she called 911 because she needed help. The judge dismissed her case in the interest of justice.

shomechely

It's been my experience (over 8 years) that all public defenders are different just like every private attorney is different. Unfortunately, PD's tend to be overworked, underpaid and under pressure to close cases. In Missouri, they earn promotions based on the cases they successfully close and how many trials they participate in.

The majority of them I've known have been very dedicated people. They truly want to help their clients. Since the PD often hires attorneys directly out of law school they can be somewhat inexperienced. Most of the PD's I've worked with, however, are very savvy attorneys with an excellent support system and plenty of resources. One I know is one of the best attorneys I know PERIOD. She's very sharp, doesn't fall for BS and is absolutely unintimidatable. Unfortunately, she left the PD system for private practice and I think the local PD's office here has suffered for it.

No matter if you have a public defender or a private attorney, they all have the defendant's best interest at heart.

mike g

no they are not, they are usually new lawyers that are trying to make a name for themselves

hisChamp

After 16 years of dealing with the judicial system for family and friends, I would not consider a public defender if there were the financial means of retaining my own counsel. With a private attorney you have more options. However, I've had terrible experiences with hired attorneys too which is always made worse when you've paid a lot of money and they just do nothing. I had an excellent lawyer fresh out of law school that we retained for a very low fee take our case to trial and get it aquitted against five local police departments. The older attorneys, even with good reputations and from referrals, are often lazy and jaded with the whole system.

Jan G

I have seen many good Public Defender. It makes it so much easier if you are innocent of the crime and have proof though.

normally you need to hire a lawyer on your ON htere are a few good public defenders but normally there so over load they what you to plea out this is not normal the best thing to do , even is you go on line and ask the free lawyer services they might be able to get a lawyer that's not over worked and under paid? good luck

stargaze626

not the flunkie they assigned to me... was fresh out of law school looking to get experience so he could be hired at a reputable firm.

the_silverfoxx

no they arent the public defender. is paid by the state. no matter the outcome and liks to get it over as soon as they can so they can get to there next court appointed case . guilty or inocent they get paid <<. ref. legal .. my opion?

Lucky

Who's to say, if your guilty it shouldn't matter.

DyrtByrd

assembly line just want to get case over asap

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