The state cannot require you to pay for representation by a lawyer, but criminal defense lawyers in private practice typically have more time and energy to devote to your case than public defenders do.
The law requires police to read the Miranda warnings to every defendant who gets arrested on suspicion of committing a crime; this includes informing the defendant that they have the right to hire a criminal defense lawyer to represent them, and that if they cannot afford to hire a lawyer, the court will appoint a defense lawyer to represent them at no cost to the defendant. Your frugal mind might wonder why someone would pay for legal representation in a criminal case when they can also get it free. Even if you are the kind of person who clips coupons for virtually every grocery item and balks at the idea of buying a car new or paying out-of-state tuition for college, it is not hard to see why it is worthwhile to hire a criminal defense lawyer from a private law firm. The Fort Worthcriminal defense lawyers at the Law Office of Kyle Whitaker can help you if you are being charged with a crime.
The Criminal Justice System is a Mess, and Public Defenders are Only Human
Public defenders choose that role because they firmly believe in helping people who cannot afford to hire a defense lawyer exercise their legal rights. The documentaryGideon’s Army shows just how much public defenders care about helping protect defendants from injustice, as well as why being a public defender is a virtually impossible job. Travis Williams, one of the public defenders in the film, is so emotionally invested in helping defendants who choose to plead innocent fight their charges that, every time a defendant he is representing gets convicted at trial, he tattoos the defendant’s name on his back. Another public defender, Brandy Alexander, persuades a jury to acquit a defendant she is representing, and when she tries to fill up the gas tank in her car on the way home, she finds that has 20 cents in her bank account.
Most public defenders work 60 hours per week or more to help their clients seek plea deals or get a verdict of not guilty at trial, but they have no choice but to accept every case assigned to them, and when, if ever, the state hires more public defenders to share their workload is outside your control. When a public defender meets with you for the first time to talk about your case, he may have just come from a hearing about a client who is trying to fight a murder charge. Public defenders, despite their best intentions, are overworked. Both public defenders featured in the film eventually sought employment as criminal defense attorneys with private law firms.
Choose a Lawyer Who Has the Time and Focus to Devote to Your Case
It is also not true that lawyers at private law firms only care about you if you are rich. Criminal defense lawyers know that criminal accusations can happen to anyone, and they aim to make their services as affordable as possible; some even represent some of their clients pro bono (free of charge) when the law firm can afford this. Some criminal defense lawyers choose to focus on a certain type of criminal cases, such as drug offenses, DUI, or domestic violence. Best of all, criminal defense law firms can help you get into pretrial diversion programs, which enable you to get your charges dropped, if you are eligible for these law firms.
Contact the Law Office of Kyle Whitaker About Representation in Your Criminal Case
Hiring a criminal defense lawyer is a worthwhile investment, and it is more affordable than you think. Contact the Law Office of Kyle Whitaker in Fort Worth, Texas to discuss your case.
Infographic Created by Zoukis Consulting Group, Experienced Federal Criminal Lawyer
