If you are charged with a crime, there are a number of ways you can defend yourself in court. You can go it alone without an attorney, you can move forward with a court-appointed public defender, or you can hire a private attorney. But if you are facing serious charges or significant penalties, there’s really only one option – you need to hire a private attorney.
This may sound a little self-serving considering we are a private criminal defense law firm, but we only say this because it truly is in your best interest. We explain why in today’s blog.
Hiring A Private Defense Attorney
If you’re facing potential jail time, huge fines, a lifetime on the sex offender registry or the loss of your driver’s license, you need to hire a private defense attorney. Yes, there will be additional costs associated with hiring a lawyer as opposed to going with a public defender, but when you consider what’s on the line, the decision is clear. Here are some reasons why you need to hire your own attorney.
1. Public Defenders are Overburdened – Recent statistics have shown that the average public defender works significantly more cases each year than private firms. You might assume a busy attorney is getting more legal experience, but it’s also stretching them very thin. It’s akin to having three exams on the same day back when you were in school. You did your best to prepare, but ultimately you couldn’t devote enough time to each subject to feel your best heading into your exam. Would you rather have a lawyer who is handling a DUI case in the morning, an assault case after lunch and your drug charge in the afternoon, or would you rather be represented by a lawyer who can pick and choose the cases they handle and manage their work load appropriately so that each individual case gets the attention it deserves? The choice is clear.
2. Better Outcomes – Other statistics have shown that private defenders typically achieve better results for their clients. In one study, individuals got an average of three fewer years on their sentence when they went with a private attorney. Most of our clients aren’t facing close to this much prison time, but the point remains. A private attorney has access to more resources like expert witnesses to help prove your case and earn a more favorable or less severe outcome.
3. Money Isn’t Everything – Yes, the difference that most people notice right away between a private lawyer and a public defender is the cost. A public defender is free, while a private attorney can cost thousands of dollars. However, as we mentioned above, a private lawyer can oftentimes pay for their services many times over by helping you beat the charges or get a reduced fine. At Appelman Law Firm, we keep our hourly rates affordable and we offer payment plans for those who need some extra time settling up. Good legal defense shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg, so we work hard to make our services affordable and help find a way for you to pay.
4. We Work For You – When you hire a private attorney, they are working for you. We’ll do what you want and stay in communication with you along the way. With a private attorney, you’ll get a level of personal attention that is simply hard to find with a public attorney.
With so much on the line, don’t chance your freedom to a public defender. Pay a little more up front to give yourself a better chance to save yourself in the long run. The statistics show that it’s worth it. For more information, or to set up a free case review with Appelman Law Firm, contact us today at (952) 224-2277.
