Do public defenders really care?

[datnatikid]

What is the name of your state? OH

I was wondering if public defenders really try to defend their clients as best as they can?
Or should someone just hire a real attorney to help them?

Bottomline: Do really really get what you pay for in court?

[Silverplum]

DON'T DOUBLE POST>
[url]http://forum.freeadvice.com/showthread.php?t=389015[/url]

Idjit.

[Pete Moss]

Originally Posted by datnatikid

What is the name of your state? OH

I was wondering if public defenders really try to defend their clients as best as they can?
Or should someone just hire a real attorney to help them?

Bottomline: Do really really get what you pay for in court?

No-one is more responsible for your criminal case than you are.

An attorney's notion of "How much justice can you afford?" toward a client is improper and unethical, and the attorney needs to find another line of work if that's his attitude. The courts are on point in this regard.

If it were not for the Sixth Amendment to the US Constititution [ratified by 13 states in 1791] guaranteeing each person the right to an attorney, your question would be moot i.e. you'd need to do some fast talking to the prosecution, pro se.

PD's are similar to ER physicians, are bound by the Bar Association Rules and ethics of each state. If you see Ohio State's Rules of Court, bar admission - on OHIO's gov't web portal, you'd find that attorney-client relationships are a primary importance to proper standing in the bar, regardless of pro bono or privately retained; admission & complaints at the bar are handled by the Supreme Courts of states, so shysters are no laughing matter to high courts.

Document as much as you can of the proceedings until the case is final, you've no more obligations to the state and the parties involved in such regard, and you're ready to move on with your life.

-Pete Moss

[fagettaboutit]

Originally Posted by datnatikid

What is the name of your state? OH

I was wondering if public defenders really try to defend their clients as best as they can?
Or should someone just hire a real attorney to help them?

Bottomline: Do really really get what you pay for in court?

First of all, PDs are real attorneys.

I think the operative words here are: as best as they can. So yes, PDs try the best they can. But the bigger question becomes how well do they understand DUI defense. DUI laws are rather tricky and not so cut and dry as other crimes. PDs are pretty strapped with an enormous amount of cases and I'm sure not many (if any) have attended DUI defense training classes.

Pete Moss brought up a great example with the ER doctor. I'm sure you could get excellent care in any ER across the country, but if you require some sort of specialized care that they can't handle there, you'll get transferred to another hospital who is better equipped to handle your case. Another example is the Primary Care Physician. I'm sure they would try as best as they can to remove a brain tumor, but wouldn't you prefer a doctor who specializes in that to perform the procedure? Doesn't mean the doctor won't make a mistake or something couldn't go wrong during the procedure. But as you know, people will always seek the BEST doctor for the task.

The same goes with lawyers. They are by no means perfect and cost a hell of a lot of money, but you're facing a serious crime here. Don't you want someone who knows and breathes DUI defense defending your case vs. someone with limited resources trying as best as they can?

Do really really get what you pay for in court?

As with most things, most of the time, yes. But it's up to you to define (realistically) what you expect from your lawyer in court and it's up to the lawyer to realistically explain what is possible. If you don't get what you wanted, I'm sure you'll think you wasted your money. However, if you do get what you expected, then you'll have found value. I'd suggest you meet with some lawyers for a free consult.

[datnatikid]

thanks for both the replies.

[cetiya]

my public defender was great and I am very pleased with how my case went and the deal we made.

[cbg]

And you think a public defender doesn't handle dozens, and dozens, and dozens of DUI cases in a month?

What color is the sky in your world?

[garrula lingua]

forgettaboutit said:
[quote][/Q PDs are pretty strapped with an enormous amount of cases and I'm sure not many (if any) have attended DUI defense training classes.
UOTE]

DUIs are the most litigated misdemeanors.
Most Prosecutors and PDs can try them in their sleep (& do an excellent job).

Yes, both are, commonly, aware of all the intricacies, and both sides use experts to testify.

What law school did you attend or what LE training have you had, FAI ??????

[gawm]

Where is Senior judge"s little piece on public defenders when you need it?

[garrula lingua]

Gawm, is this it ?
[url]http://www.craigslist.org/about/best/sfo/70300494.html[/url]

[gawm]

Originally Posted by garrula lingua

Gawm, is this it ?
[url]http://www.craigslist.org/about/best/sfo/70300494.html[/url]

That's it.