When you are being tried in a criminal case, you have three options: represent yourself, be represented by a public defender, or hire a criminal defense attorney to represent you. While all three options are available to you, representing yourself and using a public defender can prove to be the lesser options. When you opt to have someone represent you, you will want to hire a criminal defense attorney for several reasons.
Public defenders have large caseloads
Public defenders have such large caseloads that they are not always on top of what circumstances have led to your charges. Many times, as a client, you do not always get face time with the public defender; rather you meet with his secretary or another representative and do not see the defender until right before the court appearance. With a Criminal Defense Attorney in Hattiesburg MS, you will have face to face meetings, and the attorney will be able to focus on your case as he will not have as heavy a caseload.
Public defenders have no vested interest
Unfortunately, public defenders typically do not have a vested interest in the outcome of your case. For example, when you use the court appointed attorney, you do not have to pay the public defender, but they are going to be paid no matter the outcome. Generally, when you hire a Criminal Defense Attorney in Hattiesburg MS, the attorney will do his best to win your case to build his reputation and receive the full payment for his services.
Cannot choose your public defender
When you decide to use a public defender, you do not get to choose the individual who represents your case. The attorney in these situations is chosen by the court itself and you have no say in what experience he has or anything else. When you hire a Criminal Defense Attorney in Hattiesburg MS, such as Defense Attorney T. Michael Reed, you can determine if his experience and reputation will be worth investing in for your case.
Deciding to hire a criminal defense attorney can be a defining moment in how your case turns out. Whether you are guilty or innocent, a defense attorney will do everything he can to get you a fair trial and the best possible outcome.