Those facing complex criminal charges have the right to what is known as a New York public defender to represent their rights throughout the criminal justice system. These are attorneys who are appointed to those who can’t afford legal representation and come at no cost to the defendant.
There are risks for accepting this free legal representation, as some public defenders may simply not have the time or resources to support your best interests. Explore reasons as to why, should you be able to afford it, you need to hire a private criminal defense attorney as opposed to the court-appointed public defenders that come at no charge.
Key Takeaways From This Article
- Why Public Defenders Are Important To New York’s Criminal Justice System
- Considering The Heavy Workload of Public Defenders in New York
- Why Hiring a Private Attorney Remains In Your Best Interests
Understanding The Role of Public Defenders in New York City
It’s not uncommon for those facing criminal charges here in New York City to simply be unable to afford the costs that come with a private criminal defense attorney. Exceptional legal representation comes at a cost that doesn’t work for all clients, and as such, are appointed a public defender to support them throughout their criminal case. Public defenders play an important role in the criminal justice system, working with clients who have a legal right to representation, even if they can’t afford it.
There are some drawbacks, of course, to choosing a public defender over a private criminal defense attorney. Public defenders remain in incredibly high demand throughout New York City, offering assistance to clients who are unfamiliar with the legal system and do not have the budget for a private attorney. Their services are in such high demand that they are likely facing an overload of cases, often unable to address your needs in a timely manner.
This remains problematic, as effectively representing you during a criminal case requires extensive time and resources. At times when you need representation quickly, for instance, upon your arrest, you could be left waiting for extended periods of time. They may not be able to accommodate your needs during a bail hearing, or may be unable to instruct you as to how you should speak to law enforcement.
The incredible number of cases these attorneys are assigned means that they do not have enough time in a single day to give the attention your case deserves. An overworked public attorney could miss important meetings with prosecutors or fail to meet important deadlines that are key to your case. This isn’t because public defenders are bad at their job, but instead because they simply have too high a workload.
More importantly, these public defenders may be unfamiliar with the criminal case you are facing, having never won a case that is similar to yours. This can result in poor results, leaving you with a lifetime of legal consequences that could have been better handled by a dedicated private attorney.
Managing The Legal Consequences of Criminal Conviction
Even if the costs of a private attorney are high, they remain small in comparison to the lifetime of legal complications you are facing. You are taking a huge risk by using a public defender’s services, potentially facing the full consequences of the criminal charges against you. Depending on the criminal matter, conviction could mean several years in prison, complex immigration concerns, and the appearance of your name in a criminal background check search that could limit your employment and housing opportunities for many years.
Your best option is to find an attorney with a track record of success in criminal cases similar to yours.
Why Private Criminal Defense Attorneys Should Be Your First Choice
Private criminal defense attorneys who work for law firms generally have the resources and time to properly represent you. Private attorneys remain more responsive, available for important meetings or calls, but are also capable of crafting personalized defense strategies that consider the details of your case. They can spend the time needed to offer you sound legal guidance, helping you navigate the process and representing you during important court appearances.
Complex criminal cases sometimes require investigative services, the hiring of qualified experts, and extensive research. These resources are typically inaccessible to public defenders who are already overwhelmed with the number of cases they have been assigned. Many public defenders simply do not have the time in the day to give you exceptional legal guidance and representation. Instead, they are juggling endless cases at once, often only devoting just a few moments to your case.
Choose an Attorney With Experience and A Track Record of Success
For the best possible results, a private criminal defense attorney remains the right decision for your best interests. Criminal cases here in New York City remain complex matters that call for the most qualified and dedicated legal representation possible. You are gambling with your livelihood if you can afford a private attorney, but instead choose to work with a court-appointed public defender.
Look to attorneys who bring both experience and a long history of success in criminal cases like yours, and retain their services the moment you are arrested or investigated for a crime in New York City.
Read More About The Work of Julie Rendelman
Click through our online blog and practice pages for more information regarding criminal matters here in New York City.
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Contact The Law Offices of Julie Rendelman Today
Connect with us today to explore legal representation for criminal cases of all complexities. Julie Rendelman continues to secure favorable results for a long list of criminal matters here in New York City, offering aggressive, personalized, and dedicated representation to clients. Explore the practice areas of Julie Rendelman or take part in a free, no-obligation consultation call.
There is no risk to clients for simply reaching out to us and discussing your case. Understand the legal options available to you and learn more about how we can work to represent your best interests with full-service legal representation. Let us navigate the complicated legal system of New York for you while crafting a defense strategy that considers the many details of your case.
Contact us today by phone or email and request a free consultation. We are also capable of speaking with close friends or family members who have been recently arrested and are in need of legal representation. Early legal representation remains key to securing favorable results.
Learn more about the esteemed career of Julie Rendelman and why she should be your first choice as a criminal defense attorney in New York City.
Take criminal matters seriously as soon as possible. Don’t delay, contact us now.
New York, NY 10017
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