Being arrested is one of the most emotionally overwhelming situations and an individual can go through. Whether or not you're a fan of the law, being arrested and criminally charged carries a certain stigma that most would like to avoid. Should your charges stick and you're found guilty, it is a stigma you'll have to carry around for a lifetime. It doesn't matter if you're charged with a DUI or if you are caught stealing; many people look at those that offend the law differently.
Depending on your criminal charge, you may want to consider hiring your own personal attorney. True, you are afforded a public defender when charged, but you may want to have a private attorney instead. In this article, we'll go over some of the differences between a private attorney and a public defender. We'll also bring to light why representation for any criminal case is essential.
Criminal Defense Attorney and The Public Defender
The public defender can be assigned to you should you be charged with a criminal case. If you have your own attorney, you will not have one. Those that lack funding for their own criminal defense attorney will likely choose the public defender to negotiate their case. This is a great way to get your sentence reduced. However, it's not always the best option.
Public defenders historically have a larger caseload. What this means for their clients is less attention to detail and less time spent on their case. This means that certain details may go overlooked, and for more serious cases, this is a problem. For example, if you're facing murder charges, the last thing you want to do is have an attorney that has a hundred other clients they need to represent. Instead, you'd want an attorney that could focus on the details of your case to get you the best outcome possible.
Aside from this difference, the cost is a factor. Criminal defense attorneys aren't cheap. They can run hundreds or thousands of dollars. Most will charge you for their time or on a case-by-case basis. They may offer a payment plan or not. A DWI Attorney will be capable of securing you a more favorable outcome.
What Could Happen?
If you didn't have the best representation, you could expect to get more than just a slap on the wrist. In fact, many individuals who lack decent representation find that their sentences are more severe than those that do not. In general, having a private attorney on your side could mean you have less jail time and fines. Punishments are outlined by the laws, and the laws are adhered to by the judge who will perform your sentencing.
