I have an assault charge and disorderly conduct charge pending.
2006-10-20 10:14:21 · 9 answers · asked by ANDREW G 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
Unlike private practice attorneys that you can interview before you hire them, public defenders are assigned to you by the court. The attorneys who are employed by the court as public defenders work on a rotation basis. Whoever is next up for a case gets assigned as the cases come in. You don't get to pick which one you want - or don't want. If, after meeting with the public defender who has been assigned to you, you feel strongly that the attorney isn't going to adequately represent you, you can petition the court for a change of attorney. However, this petition is not always granted by the court. You would have to convince the court of something really serious, like racism or another form of prejudice against you.
The only way you can guarantee that an attorney is going to represent you the way you want to be represented is to hire one yourself. All public defenders are attorneys in good standing, have taken and passed the State Bar exam, and will do their best for you. If you can't afford to hire a private attorney, you're pretty much stuck with the PD that gets assigned to your case.
Good luck to you. My best advice is to be completely honest.
2006-10-20 10:24:46 · answer #1 · answered by happy heathen 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Umm i dont think public offender will do the best they can ur better off paying someone who will. Go find one cause the pd gets paid by the state so it dont matter whether he wins or loses ur case. trust me my family member was represented by pd and its not good defense as a private one. Good Luck.
2006-10-20 10:28:08 · answer #2 · answered by Pretty me 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You really don't have any say in it. All you can hope for is someone that is just trying to get some experience before going into the private sector.
2006-10-20 10:22:24 · answer #3 · answered by Judge Dredd 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They merely assign you who ever is next up on the list.
So you have no choice, So there is no way to pick or get a good or bad, you merley get the one that is up for the next assignment
2006-10-20 15:00:20 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you really want someone paid for by the state to defend you from the state??
2006-10-21 08:20:26 · answer #5 · answered by dat_gurl01 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
When you go to court ask for one.. Or go to the courthouse and talk someone there about one.
2006-10-20 10:22:02 · answer #6 · answered by Rain32 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
DON'T! DO NOT! PAY FOR AN ATTORNEY! They are called public pretenders for a reason.
2006-10-20 17:05:48 · answer #7 · answered by sixfour76 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
isn't "good public defender" an oxymoron?
2006-10-20 13:45:34 · answer #8 · answered by harrison 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
hire your own laywer, or hope for the best
2006-10-20 10:22:36 · answer #9 · answered by speedysundevil 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋