The Constitution guarantees you the right to legal representation if you are charged with a crime. If you don’t have enough money on hand to pay for a lawyer, the state should assign you a public defender. Is hiring a private criminal defense attorney better, or can public defenders offer the same quality legal representation?
Keep reading to learn more about the differences between the two and how to get the advocacy you need after being arrested for a criminal offense.
You Have More Choice With A Private Lawyer
Criminal defendants have more choice regarding who represents them when they work with a private law firm. Public defenders often have a large caseload and new cases are assigned as they come into whoever can take them on. This leaves defendants without any say in who’s on their team.
A Public Defender Might Be Hard To Get Ahold Of
Typically, public defenders have enormous caseloads and limited time to devote to working with every individual client. This frequently makes it challenging to connect with your court-appointed attorney, even when it’s important. Consequently, you might not get the information you need when you need it and you may struggle to understand what’s happening in your case.
A Public Defender Might Be Quick To Push A Plea Deal
Public defenders generally have less experience than private attorneys and may be nervous to defend their clients in court if they don’t have much trial experience under their belts. Private attorneys are usually much more comfortable in front of a jury and won’t pressure you to take a bad plea deal so that they don’t have to defend you in court.
If you have been arrested on suspicion of a crime, it’s important to get a top-notch attorney on the case as quickly as you can. As you navigate the legal system, it will be vital to safeguard your legal rights since your future and livelihood are at stake. Call veteran Cape Cod criminal defense attorney Thomas Kokonowski, Esq. today for a free initial consultation at 774-561-2689.
