Should I Choose A Public Defender Or Private Attorney?

When a person is facing criminal charges, he or she has many important decisions to make Orange County Criminal Defense. He or she must consider whether to plead guilty or not guilty Orange County Criminal Defense Lawyer. He or she must decide whether to take a punishment recommended by a prosecutor. Possibly the most important decision is who he or she should use as a lawyer. A criminal defendant generally has two main options: a public defender or a private lawyer. There are pros and cons of either decision. He or she must carefully weigh the advantages and disadvantages before making a final decision.

Public Defender

A person who is appointed by the court to represent a defendant in a legal proceeding is known as a public defender.

Advantages of Hiring a Public Defender

A public defender is appointed to defendants who cannot afford to hire a private lawyer and who requests one to be appointed. Therefore, the defendant does not have to pay for his or her lawyer, which can otherwise be very expensive. Public defenders are familiar with a variety of criminal cases and usually have experience working on criminal cases. They work with prosecutors on a routine basis and may have a better relationship with them that can help get plea agreements through.

Disadvantages of Hiring a Public Defender

Government employs public defenders. They make less than private lawyers Orange County Criminal Attorney. Many people can't afford criminal defense lawyers, thus they have high caseloads. Overworked, underpaid public defenders are prevalent. These dynamics might cause them to make blunders or lack preparation time. A public defender may have limited time to meet with clients due to hundreds of cases. Sometimes a public defender just has a few minutes with a client before he or she pleads. Public defenders may plead as many cases as possible to reduce their burden.This can hinder a public defender from preparing a legal defense that could have averted or mitigated a conviction.