Public Defenders know the courtroom better than anyone.

There is an understandable misconception that public defenders are less than attorneys or are in some way beholden to the court system or district attorneys rather than you. This is false. Completely false.

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• Public defenders have been to law school, passed the bar exam, and been licensed by the Supreme Court just as any private attorney has been.

• Public defenders have much more trial and negotiation experience than your average private attorney, we spend far more time in court and working cases.

• Public defenders are more familiar with the county, judges, prosecutors, and jurors where they practice, further giving your case the edge.

• Public defenders are not in it for the paycheck. Let's be honest, we don't get paid much. We don't get paid to bullshit our clients either. I won't lie to you or draw out the process just to make more money.

• We do this job because we love what we do, we love our clients, and we hate overzealous prosecution.

 

This misconception is fueled by private attorneys who want your money.

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• The truth is that the trial and plea outcomes are the same whether you have a private attorney or a public defender, one just costs you an arm and a leg.

• Some like to suggest that "They are paid by the state, and . . . public defenders have a cozy relationship with local court officials." - This is laughably false. Public defenders have a good enough relationship with court staff to be able to assist you and work your case better than any private attorney, but not one which compromises your case in any way.

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However, it is indisputable that public defenders are overworked.

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• Public defenders have 100-200 clients at any time.

• This does mean far more experience and the ability to marshal cases in numbers.

• Public defenders have to spend their time wisely, efficiently, fighting for you. This can mean less time speaking with you about your case and more time working on it.