---
title: "Is there any time a public defender is the right choice?"
description: "Yes. If your charge is very minor, if you are clearly guilty, and if you plan to take the plea no matter what, a public defender is fine. Traffic misdemeanors. First-offense low-level stuff where the..."
url: https://www.chadbanklaw.com/faq-items/is-there-any-time-a-public-defender-is-the-right-choice/
date: 2026-04-20
modified: 2026-06-04
author: "The Law Office of Chad F Bank"
type: avada_faq
lang: en
---

# Is there any time a public defender is the right choice?

Yes. If your charge is very minor, if you are clearly guilty, and if you plan to take the plea no matter what, a public defender is fine. Traffic misdemeanors. First-offense low-level stuff where the plea is already set. Cases where you truly can not come up with any money for a private lawyer. In those situations a public defender will do what needs to be done. The problem starts when the charge is serious and you need a real fight to prevent life altering consequences like becoming a convicted felon.