
So what do you do if you don’t want a public defender? Here are some suggestions for what you should do.
Go private. One advantage of going with a private criminal defense lawyer versus is a public defender, is the personal attention that you receive. For public defenders, it’s about the public. Public defenders are paid by the government through your tax dollars. For a private lawyer, it is about you. Private lawyers are paid by you.
Say No. People who are most likely to use or need a public defender are the poor. In that case, it would be extremely hard to say no to a public defender assignment to your case. However, if you have some financial means, and at the very least can pay a flat fee for a good lawyer, then you can refuse to have a public defender assigned to your case.
Avoid Going It Alone. There are countless examples of people accused of a crime who decided to represent themselves and were convicted. Self-representation is like gambling: sooner or later the house wins. An accused is going up against well-trained prosecutors whose job is to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you are guilty of the crime you have been charged with. It is not worth risking your life, time in jail, ability to obtain employment, and the stigma of being labeled a convicted criminal simply because you thought you could beat the system by going it alone.
In summary, there are options if you don’t want a public defender or don’t qualify for one. Hire a private criminal defense lawyer and say no to a public defender appointment. But avoid making the catastrophic mistake of going it alone. The price you pay for going it alone is simply not worth it.
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This article is intended to convey generally useful information only and does not constitute legal advice. Any opinions expressed are solely those of the author, not LawChamps.

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