Nobody likes being accused of a crime, much less being arrested and sent to jail. But if this is the situation that you or someone else has landed in, don't you want quality representation in a court of law? In the United States, representation will be appointed to you if you can not afford an attorney, but this can be perilous to your freedom in the long run.

It's not that public defenders don't care or aren't competent, but there are many more benefits to hiring a criminal defense attorney than simply opting for a public defender. Once you've learned them all, you'll know how incentivizing someone to work on your case instead of becoming part of the court bureaucracy can almost always work in your favor instead of the other way around.

Another Case on the Docket

As we stated above and will explain now, we certainly don't mean to put down public defenders. The lawyers that choose to do pro bono work and the public defenders that work alongside them are important parts of the criminal justice system in the United States. Without them, people accused of crimes would have no way to defend themselves and perhaps be stuck admitting to crimes that they did not commit or could pay to remedy.

However, the downside of public defenders is that they have large caseloads, all paying the same standard rate courtesy of taxes. Therefore, there is simply only so much time they can devote to each case before they must move onto the next one. If your case has any complexities to it, evidence that must be gathered, or other duties that go above and beyond the call of duty, you will be much better off hiring a criminal defense lawyer instead of going with a public defender. Don't be another case on the docket when you could have a personalized defense from a criminal defense attorney.

Experience Matters

Did you know that someone that hires a private attorney receives on average a three-year shorter sentence? Criminal defense attorneys are not only experienced, but they usually know the inner workings of the particular law in your area and can find the correct legal routes to go down when the time comes to prepare a defense. If you've been accused of violating an antiquated law, newly created law, or something for which there is no precedent at all, you'll want the experience of competence of a criminal defense attorney by your side. They can also advise you of what not to say in a courtroom or to law enforcement and may help you draft public statements if your case has gotten media attention.

Payment is Flexible

Criminal defense attorneys are not like divorce lawyers who demand a certain amount upfront. Depending on your case and the likelihood of a good outcome, competent criminal defense attorneys may reserve a percentage of your fees for afterward when you are free to work again or gain some sort of settlement. Lots of criminal defense attorneys know that people who are accused of crimes can have trouble getting access to their previous financial life or work again, but that once they are proven innocent and out of jail they can access funds again. By at least talking with a criminal defense attorney about what their payment structure is and how you can go about negotiating their services, you will put yourself in a better position overall than being left to the devices of a public defender.

Give Yourself the Best Case Scenario

Hiring a criminal defense attorney does not mean that any crimes you have committed will be erased or excused. There is no amount of money that can make problems go away if you have truly committed a crime that you are guilty of. However, by hiring a criminal defense attorney you may lessen or change the sentence, and expunge any records of a crime if you are truly innocent. In desperate times, instead of opting for a public defender, you deserve to give yourself a fighting chance with the expertise and grace of a criminal defense attorney today. When you need representation, call Todd Joffrion instead!