It depends on the assault. Simple assault may be manageable with a public defender if you are clearly taking a plea. But felony assault, domestic assault, or assault with a weapon can put you away for years. Those cases need a private lawyer who has the time to interview witnesses, Read More
Yes, it matters a lot. Drug charges carry heavy prison time in most states. A private lawyer will look at how the police found the drugs. Did they have a warrant? Did they follow the rules? Was the search legal? A case can get thrown out on those questions alone. Read More
Yes. A DUI will cost you more in the long run than a private lawyer up front. You will lose your license. Your insurance more than triples for years. You may lose your job. A private DUI lawyer knows how to challenge the breath test, the traffic stop, and the Read More
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
Yes, but it is your money and your choice. If your private lawyer is not returning your calls, not preparing for your case, or making you feel like they do not care, you have every right to hire someone else. Most good lawyers will not charge you extra to take Read More
Yes. You can hire a private lawyer any time. The court will let your public defender step off the case when a private lawyer shows up. Do not wait too long. The closer you get to trial the less time your new lawyer has to prepare. If you are thinking Read More
Maybe. Even small charges leave a record. A record can cost you a job. A record can cost you housing. A record can cost you custody of your kids. A private lawyer may be able to get the charge reduced or dismissed in a way a public defender will not Read More
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 Read More
Mostly. You do not pay the lawyer. But some states charge a small application fee to get a public defender. Some states add a court fee later if you are found guilty or if you make a plea. The bigger cost is not money. The cost is what you give Read More
Yes. Most private criminal defense lawyers like Chad take payment plans. You pay some money up front to get started and then pay the rest over time. Some take credit cards. Some will work with you if a family member is helping pay. Do not assume you can not afford Read More
It depends on what you are charged with. A simple misdemeanor may cost $1500 to $3000. A serious felony can cost a lot more. Most lawyers charge a flat fee for the case so you know what you are paying up front. Some charge by the hour. A good private Read More
The data says yes. Public defenders are oftentimes recent law school graduates and this is their first experience out of law school. Many good private attorneys started their career in the public defenders office or the district attorneys office and gained legal experience prosecuting and defending crimes before they went Read More
A private attorney / criminal defense lawyer works only for you. You pay them so they answer to you. They investigate your case. They talk to witnesses the public defender will not have time to find. They hire experts when your case needs it. They can reach you by phone, Read More
No. A public defender is your lawyer. Their job is to defend you. But they work for a state-funded office. They see the same prosecutors and judges every single day. They have a job to keep. Most of them care about their clients. The problem is not that they work Read More
The court decides if you qualify. To show you cannot afford a lawyer, you generally need to fill out an Affidavit of Indigent Status or Financial Affidavit. These forms disclose your income, assets, and expenses to the court to determine eligibility for free legal aid or a public defender. They Read More
A public defender is a lawyer the court gives you for free if you can not afford to hire your own. You have seen this on every cop show when the officer says "if you can not afford an attorney one will be provided for you." That lawyer is a Read More