Court-Appointed Attorneys in Criminal Cases
Most criminal defendants are represented by court-appointed lawyers who are paid by the government. Paradoxically, the biggest reason that most defendants are represented by lawyers in criminal cases is that most defendants can’t afford to hire their own private defense attorneys. When defendants are considered to be legally indigent—as most are—the court is constitutionally required to provide them with legal representation at government expense if jail or prison is a possible outcome of the case.
Read on to learn who these attorneys are, who is entitled to receive their services, and the type of services you are entitled to expect from them.
Most criminal defendants are legally indigent and can’t afford to pay for an attorney. On the other hand, the state can’t legally prosecute indigents unless it provides them with an attorney. To satisfy this requirement, many states have set up public defender offices.
Defendants charged with crimes are almost always best served by obtaining a lawyer.
I've heard public defenders called "public pretenders." Is that true or are they real lawyers?
I don't think my public defender is doing a good job. Can I get another lawyer in the office?
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