Many defendants find themselves eligible for the services of a public defender but are skeptical about the quality of representation they will get. These state-paid attorneys, sometimes called “public pretenders” are often unfairly branded as incompetent lawyers. Many public defenders provide outstanding services to defendants in the Minnesota criminal justice system. Without the great work of our public defenders, our justice system would fall apart. So if public defenders are so great, why should anyone hire a private criminal defense attorney? Here are some things to consider…
Should I Hire a Private Criminal Defense Attorney?
Time. Public defenders have extremely high case loads, now more than ever. Due to the economy, defendants are turning to public service attorneys over private attorneys because they cannot afford to pay private attorney fees. As a result, public defenders get stuck with too many cases to handle, driving down the quality of representation. Oftentimes a public defender will not even look at your case until you arrive to court. This is not because they don’t care, but simply because they have too many cases. The public defense attorney may not want to fully explore all defenses or may simply convince you that the first offer is a “great deal” so he or she can tackle the dozens of other cases after yours. Time is always an ally when it comes to excellent criminal defense representation.
Choice. You cannot choose who your public defender is. A large part of hiring private counsel is the ability to screen for an attorney who makes you feel comfortable. Being charged with a criminal offense is never a pleasant experience. You need an attorney who will put you at ease and make you feel comfortable in making the decisions affecting your future.
No Implied Consent Representation. If you are charged with a DWI, a public defender cannot represent your implied consent challenge (also referred to as the “civil” side or the “license” portion of a DWI case). The only way to fight your license revocation is to hire a private attorney.
It is common sense that everyone wants a skilled lawyer to handle their case. Oftentimes clients feel that they have no choice but to team with a public defender because private fees are simply too high. Our law firm has the reputation of providing exceptional legal defense at competitive rates. Speak to our criminal defense attorney directly at (612) 338-5007 for a pressure-free case evaluation.
