Facing criminal charges can be frightening for anyone. If it happens to you, you’ll want to have a strong defense. However, some people may try to save some money by using a public defender.
While doing so could be easier on your wallet, like many things in life, you get what you pay for.
Why public defenders can be more of a liability than an asset
Public defenders are often younger, less experienced attorneys fresh out of law school. Because of the uneven ratio of cases and public defenders, their workload is usually bigger than what they can handle. Because of this, public defenders don’t always have the time, resources and expertise to put towards your case that a private attorney could. While many public defenders know local prosecutors and judges well, they may not always be able to be by your side throughout your entire case. Depending on the circumstances, more than one public defender could be handling different phases of your case. Unfortunately, this can sometimes lead to errors and less desirable outcomes.
What are the benefits of hiring a private attorney over a public defender?
Whether you’re facing major or minor charges, any conviction you face could hurt your finances, reputation and even your family. Under this kind of pressure, you’ll want diligent and robust representation in the courtroom. Even when prosecutors show no mercy, a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney can:
- Provide exceptional care and attention to detail to your case.
- Reduce or eliminate the charges filed against you.
- Reduce the severity of penalties for a crime you committed.
- Reduce or eliminate your jail sentence.
- Help you develop a sound defense strategy if your case ends up going to trial.
- Help protect your reputation in your local community.
- Work with you and your family to get the most desirable outcome.
You deserve fair and accurate representation
Whether you’re guilty of a crime or not, putting your reputation, finances and life in the hands of a public defender isn’t always worth it. But with strong and reliable legal counsel, you can push back against any damaging charges that come your way.
