17 Sep Why Choose a Sacramento Criminal Defense Lawyer Over a Public Defender?

When you’re charged with a crime and looking to get your charges reduced or dismissed, it’s essential to have a strong legal team supporting you. Everyone has the right to a lawyer, and if you can’t afford a lawyer, the court will appoint a public defender for you. In some situations, you may be eligible for a public defender even if you’re able to afford a lawyer of your own.

When you have the choice, hiring a Sacramento criminal defense lawyer over a public defender can be beneficial. At Crowell Law Offices, our attorneys are dedicated to defending every client. We’ll take the time to assess your case and develop a personalized strategy to support you in court. Unfortunately, most public defenders don’t have the time or resources to help you like we can.

You Get What You Pay For

Although criminal defense lawyers charge a fee for their services, you ultimately get what you pay for.

Because public defenders work for free under government funding, they don’t have the same opportunities that lawyers at private firms do. For example, a public defender doesn’t choose their cases. They’re often shuffled between cases and unable to give each client the attention and support they deserve.

Our team only represents a client when we know we can fully dedicate our time and resources to their case. We communicate with our clients so they understand how the legal process works, and we fight hard against every conviction from start to finish. 

Public Defenders Are Often Overworked

The issue with using a public defender is that they’re overworked. There are too many cases coming through the court system and not enough public defenders to take them on. 

Every public defender in Sacramento deals with upwards of 100 cases at a time. Instead of taking the time to formulate a strategy for each defendant, public defenders are focused on getting through each case as quickly as possible—they have no other choice. 

If you hope to get your charges reduced or dismissed, spending the money on a criminal defense attorney can be worth it because you’ll have a better chance of success in the courtroom.

How a Criminal Conviction Can Affect Your Life

If you don’t get your charges reduced or dismissed and you end up with a criminal conviction on your record, the conviction can haunt you for the rest of your life. Even after you serve time in jail or prison for your crime, society may label you as a criminal.

If you have a felony conviction on your record, you can’t get a government job, carry a gun, leave the country, or vote. Even a misdemeanor conviction, such as a minor drug conviction, can make it hard to apply for housing and obtain some jobs.

Reach Out to a Sacramento Criminal Defense Attorney

If you want to beat the prosecution, you need a dedicated legal team by your side. Hiring an attorney can increase your chances of success. If you’d like to speak with a Sacramento criminal defense lawyer from Crowell Law Offices, call 916-303-2800 or fill out the contact form below to schedule a free consultation.