Public Defender vs Private Attorney Statistics in 2025
We have all seen a television show in which a police officer reads someone their Miranda Rights. The officer says that the accused has the right to an attorney. They then say if they can not afford one the state will provide one for them. Did you know that the probability of you serving jail time goes up by hiring a public defender vs private attorney in 2025? I am sure you want to mount the strongest defense possible when accused of a crime. To have your best chance of winning your case you are going to want to hire a private attorney. First let us take a look at the pros and cons of being defended by a public defender vs private attorney.
Pros and Cons of being defended by a Public Defender vs Private Attorney in 2025
First we will start with the most obvious pro in that a public defender is free. The idea behind a public defender is to provide legal counsel to those who can not otherwise afford it. If you are poor the court will appoint a lawyer to your case. If you do have enough money the state expects you to pay for your own private attorney. Secondly public defenders work with the same judges and prosecutors every day. The relationships public defenders have with judges and prosecutors can come in handy when it comes time for a plea deal. If you are innocent and have no interest in pleading it could be a con.
The Case Load of a Public Defender in 2025
The biggest problem with a public defender in 2025 is their case load. This is not their fault. Our justice system does not always work as it was intended to. The number of public defenders is much smaller than it should be. This requires each attorney to take on a massive case load. On average in 2025 a public defender has 25 percent less time to devote to a case than is necessary to do a thorough job defending the defendant. It is hard to get in touch with your court appointed attorney except on the day of your trial. A public defender gets more cases than they can handle no matter the outcome of their other trials.
Pros of Hiring a Private Attorney in 2025
The first pro of hiring a private attorney to defend you is their availability. A good criminal defense lawyer will be available to you whenever you need them. They will also have a staff that can help you if they are not able to do it themselves. Having more resources at their disposal will often mean a better outcome in your case. Secondly a private attorney has a much smaller caseload. Lawyers will not take on more cases than they think that their staff can handle. It is their business that is on the line.
Cons of hiring a Private Attorney
The only con of hiring a private attorney is the cost. You often get what you pay for in life. A public defender vs private attorney varies wildly when it comes to cost. The cost of your private attorney will depend on the type of charges you are facing. The amount of work that they expect to undertake is also a factor.
A big difference between a public defender vs private attorney is that if a lawyer does a poor job their business will suffer. Only trust your freedom to the best RI criminal defense lawyer.
More Benefits of a Private Attorney
Another benefit of being defended by a private attorney is access to more defense possibilities. Because the defendant is paying for the legal services a private lawyer has options. They can use expert witnesses or private laboratories to help their case. One example is the new Marijuana DUI testing. These resources could make all the difference in a trial.
Public Defender vs Private Attorney Defense Statistics in 2025
There have been many studies dedicated to determining the difference between a public defender vs private attorney. Today we will take a look a study done on the Ohio state justice system. This study which was conducted by Morriss Hoffman compiled data from over 5200 cases in Ohio.
Hoffman concluded:
- A defendant is more likely to go to jail if they have a public defender
- They are also more likely to serve a longer sentence
Someone that hires a private attorney receives on average a three year shorter sentence.
Do not put your freedom at risk when choosing an attorney. Look for the highest rated criminal lawyer in your area.
Public Defender vs Private Attorney Stats Conclusion
The differences between a public defender vs private attorney are vast. Having the right counsel could mean the difference between a guilty or not guilty verdict. If you are facing any serious criminal charges or have been falsely accused than your best bet is to hire a private attorney. While the upfront cost may be greater when hiring a private attorney the benefits will outweigh the costs.
Do not gamble with your freedom to save a few dollars. Even if it means taking out a loan or asking friends or family to help hiring a private lawyer is the way to go. For a free consultation contact Top Rated RI Criminal Lawyer and Rhode Island DUI Attorney Chad F Bank today. Call 401-573-2265 for a free consultation. Let our 20 plus years of Rhode Island criminal defense experience work for you.