Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney to Handle Your Case

A criminal defense attorney always works hard to defend the defendant. He functions as a confidant, protector and guide for the defendant. Criminal defense attorneys come in either of two categories – private lawyers taking fees from the defendants and court-appointed lawyers.

Court-appointed attorneys represent those defendants who are unable to bear the heavy burden of paying private lawyers. These lawyers are either public defendants paid by the government or “panel attorneys”. A small percentage of criminal defendants represent themselves in court. These defendants are called “pro per” or “pro se” defendants.

What a Criminal Defense Attorney is Supposed to Do?

A criminal defense attorney deals with several aspects of the case while defending his client. The lawyer investigates the case, evaluates its merits and demerits, talks to the witnesses and police and tries to negotiate an acceptable deal with the prosecutor. These deals usually include reduced charges, reduced bail and reduced sentences.

Due to a number of factors including public and political pressure, jammed court calendars and overpopulated jail, deal making has become more important these days and an important element in unblocking the intricate system of criminal justice.

Criminal defense lawyers always cross-check witnesses, analyze the prosecutor’s case, evaluate the potential sentences, review seizure and search process, investigate the crime spots, collect evidence and finally make a plan to defend the clients.

Defense counsel offers another valuable service by providing the defendant with a reality check about the possible consequences and guiding the person to deal with fears, humiliations and frustrations from being involved in the criminal justice system. If it is not possible to make any plea deal, the defense attorney lawyer will represent the defendant at trial.

Money Matter

When it comes to representing a defendant, his financial ability is a huge consideration. It means whether the defendant is able to afford counsel. Indigent defendants (who cannot afford to hire counsel) are entitled to be represented by court-appointed counsel. For some, it’s not difficult to afford a lawyer but many are financially stressed and so cannot hire a private lawyer. However, making an arrangement for legal representation is not as simple for those falling in between the two categories.

It should be noted in the context that the right to representation by court-appointed counsel never means a right to choose a lawyer. A defendant represented by court-appointed counsel is not entitled to pick up a lawyer of his choice like a paying defendant.

Who is Better – A Court-Appointed Lawyer or a Private Lawyer?

Private lawyers charge a fixed fee or on an hourly basis. Private attorneys are not allowed to charge contingency fees which are based on the outcome of the case.

Most defendants believe that the private lawyers have a distinct advantage over the panel attorneys or public defenders receiving a minimum fee. According to many studies, the outcomes for the defendants regardless of the choice they adopt for representation are same as long as they are not dealing with the case on their own. Ultimately a Galveston Criminal Defense Lawyer’s skill, experience and commitment matter at the end of the day whether the professional is a private lawyer, public defender or panel attorney.