What You Need To Know About Public Defenders and How an Experienced Southern California Defense Attorney Can Help You
If a person accused of a crime is without funds to hire a lawyer, the court may grant the accused the assistance of a Public Defender. A Public Defender is an attorney employed by the government to represent those accused of crimes who cannot afford an attorney.
Most people have a job or a savings account, some form of equity in a home or automobile, or something of value to help finance legal counsel. If a defendant does not have any of these things, the court will ask the defendant (under penalty of perjury) at the beginning of the case to fill out a document called a financial statement declaring what assets the defendant has and what the defendant’s income is. Once the court has this information, the court will decide whether or not the defendant qualifies for the assistance of a Public Defender. At the end of the case, the court will decide whether the defendant must pay the county for some or all the assistance of the Public Defender.
The court will usually ask for the defendant to pay a certain amount, and will give the defendant a chance to have a hearing on the matter. The court will also further delve into the amount of work done by the Public Defender and your ability to pay an hourly wage for those hours worked. So unless you are truly penniless, a Public Defender is not typically free.
How Do Public Defenders Get Paid?
Public defenders provide legal defense for those who are not financially able to employ counsel. They are employed by the government on the federal or state level down to the local level through a public defender’s office. Public defenders are paid by the government with taxpayer money to provide representation.
If you or a loved one is facing criminal charges, it is important to consult with an attorney immediately. At Wallin & Klarich, our attorneys have the means dedicate all of their time and resources to your case, going over each piece of evidence in great detail and making sure all possible avenues of your case is explored. You can speak with your attorney at any time and will be kept up-to-date on the progress of your case. Wallin & Klarich has over 40 years of criminal defense experience and has successfully defended thousands of criminal cases, ranging from minor traffic violations to assault and murder. Call 1-888-749-0034 or visit www.wklaw.com to speak to one of Wallin & Klarich’s aggressive and experienced criminal defense attorneys in California today. We will be there when you call.
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