Every day, it’s necessary to make choices. Most of these choices are as unimportant as deciding what to have for lunch, but during a lifetime, a few choices will have life-altering consequences. Choosing the right attorney for your case after being arrested is one of those extremely significant choices.
In the movies, “My Cousin Vinny” might win the case against all odds, but in real life an attorney with a successful track record in similar cases is needed. When Criminal Law Lawyers are needed, the stakes are very high, including liberty and the life-long consequences resulting from a criminal conviction.
Why Not Use a Public Defense Attorney?
Public defense lawyers in Washington are not as overworked as in some states, but that’s not saying much. In Florida, the average caseload for each public defender reached 500 felonies per year. In Tennessee, over 10,000 misdemeanor cases were handled by only six attorneys in one year, spending less than one hour on each client’s case. That implies a quick settlement regardless of the facts of the case.
Washington law states that a full-time public defense attorney’s annual criminal caseload should be limited to:
* 150 felonies or
* 300-400 misdemeanors, depending on whether or not the jurisdiction uses case-weighting or
* 250 juvenile cases
If your case is one of the 150 felony cases that your public defense attorney is juggling, how much time do you think the attorney can spend on your case? Will there be an extensive investigation of the facts and interrogation of witnesses? Will the attorney prepare for a trial or recommend a quick settlement with the prosecutor? Regardless of how well-meaning the public attorney is, there are still only 24 hours in a day.
The Benefits of Hiring a Criminal Defense Attorney
There are many benefits from hiring a criminal defense attorney to represent you during this extremely stressful time including:
* Having someone on your side who understands the process and represents your best interests
* Designing a strategy based upon the circumstances and an independent investigation
* Protection against an abuse of your rights and the imposition of heavy fines by a harsh prosecutor
Gilbert & Gilbert Lawyers has been providing knowledgeable and affordable legal representation in Mount Vernon, WA since 1921. Schedule a free consultation to discuss your legal options.
