A public defender almost always pushes for a plea. They do not have time to try every case. A private lawyer will go to trial if your case calls for it. But most cases never go to trial. Most end in a plea deal. The question is not whether you Read More
This is called the arraignment. The judge reads the charges against you. You plead guilty, not guilty, or no contest. You almost always want to plead not guilty at this stage. Your lawyer, if you have one, will stand next to you. The judge will decide about bail. Then the Read More
Sometimes. A public defender works with the same prosecutors every single day. That can help. But it can also hurt. They have a job to keep. They have 300 other cases. They may push you to take the first plea the prosecutor offers because they do not have time to Read More