the police and i are arranging me to turn myself in for one count of burglary at which point i will be released on bond and have to appear in court. i know this is a felony and i want to get this expunged from my record. I was wondering if it mattered if i had a private attorney or a public defender. i just turned 18, and this is my first offense ever so my goal is to get "youthful offender" status and this be expunged from my record. i am not sure if only an attorney can do that or if a public defender can do that as well since i am not contesting anything my main goal is for a plea bargain where this does not go on my record but i serve my probation time. thanks guys
2007-09-07 07:39:05 · 7 answers · asked by John S. 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Public Defenders are Attorneys. They take the same bar examine as any prosecutor or private attorney. You should talk to the attorney before deciding what to do.
2007-09-07 07:45:15 · answer #1 · answered by Songbyrd JPA ✡ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go with a private attorney if you are trying to get your record expunged. This can be difficult to achieve and needs some extra work on the part of the attorney. A public defender can arrange a plea bargain for you, but they just don't have the time to fight for the extras. They have too many clients to help to concentrate solely on one case. Spring for the extra bucks - this is your life you are paying for.
2007-09-07 07:45:47 · answer #2 · answered by jml167 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Either one can do the job of handling your plea and sentencing. But you are not entitled to have a public defender appointed if you can afford your own attorney.
Hire a criminal attorney to assist you. You will need one anyway to expunge your record. That's not in the job description of the public defender.
2007-09-07 08:04:00 · answer #3 · answered by raichasays 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think a private attorney will generally fight for your rights more. The public defender works for the court and guess who signs their check!
Best luck, if you don't have the money and you are lucky you can get a good public defender who will look out for you. If you're not a violent offender I don't think you'll go to jail but i don't know about removing it from your record.
Don't commit any more crimes, dummy!!! (and get off drugs now if that's the reason you are committing crimes, otherwise you'll end up Bubba's bath toy real soon.)
2007-09-07 07:47:50 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
The final decision on a plea comes from you. The attorneys can only advise you. If the deal is already set, save your money and use the P.D.
2007-09-07 07:45:18 · answer #5 · answered by ~ Floridian`` 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't think you should be given the chance of a deal, you should be birched (whipped) by each member of the family who's house you defiled.TAKE THE STREETS BACK!!!!!!!!!
2007-09-07 07:51:12 · answer #6 · answered by Roggles 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It has been my experience that on average you get what you pay for. Even in law.
2007-09-07 07:47:11 · answer #7 · answered by vladoviking 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋