What Is The Difference Between A Public Defender And A Private Criminal Defense Attorney? | Robinson Law, PLLC

 Posted on August 05, 2024 in Criminal Defense

Everyone who is facing criminal charges has the right to an attorney. As part of their constitutional rights, people who can’t afford an attorney can have the courts appoint one for them. Typically, this person is a public defender. Individuals who can afford to pay can hire a private criminal defense attorney.

Public defenders and private defense attorneys are both required to represent the best interests of their clients and work to ensure that they get a fair trial. Despite those similarities, there are some differences to consider when it comes to these two categories of attorneys.

Public defenders

Public defenders are paid for by the government and are assigned by the court to represent people who can’t afford to pay an attorney. These lawyers handle a large volume of cases. Because they work with many clients, they represent defendants with a wide range of criminal charges. They’re often intimately familiar with the courts they work with, so they can draw from that knowledge as they guide their clients on defense strategies.

Having such a high number of cases to work on at one time can mean that they have limited time and resources for each one. This can make it difficult for them to provide information to clients as quickly as what is typically possible for those who work with a private attorney.

Private criminal defense attorneys

Private criminal defense attorneys are hired directly by defendants and can control how many cases they’re working on at one time. These attorneys typically handle fewer cases at a time, so defendants get more personalized attention and dedicated resources.

Hiring a private attorney can offer the advantage of more frequent and detailed communication, as well as potentially quicker responses to legal concerns. They often have more flexibility when working with clients and may be able to provide a more robust defense strategy for their clients.

For some people facing a criminal charge, the decision about which type of attorney to work with comes down to money. For those who can hire a private criminal defense attorney, finding one that’s familiar with the type of charge the defendant is facing and who has a style that matches the defendant’s needs can help to better ensure a favorable outcome.