A PRIVATE CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY OR PUBLIC DEFENDER?
Some of the best private criminal defense lawyers in Martin County, St. Lucie County, Okeechobee County, and Indian River County, Florida, are former assistant public defenders. Public Defenders are criminal defense attorneys who are usually passionate about defending the rights of those charged with crimes by the government. There are some very capable attorneys still with the Public Defender’s Office, but there are some new, less experienced ones there, as well. But, a word of caution. Not every private criminal defense attorney is necessarily better than an assistant public defender or has practiced as much criminal defense law. Hiring an inexpensive criminal defense attorney is not necessarily better, just because they are in private practice, so be careful. In many instances, the accused will not be able to speak with anyone from the Public Defender’s Office until well after an arrest. As a result of the economy and because of staffing difficulties, many assistant public defenders
