You wouldn’t be in court if someone didn’t think you were guilty, and you wouldn’t file an appeal if you hadn’t been proved to be guilty. Without an expert, someone who understands both the law and the system, you won’t get a fair shot in court. The court will appoint a public defender if you can’t afford to hire counsel, and some public defenders are good at what they do, but some of them are not. And every single one is overworked; even the best may not have time to meet with you and talk to you, to investigate, to prepare, and to talk to witnesses, and to present your side of the story. A good attorney can make sure the system protects your rights, and can help guard against overzealous prosecutors, dishonest witnesses, and junk science. A bad one is the same as leaving you to fend for yourself.
The courts will try to treat you fairly, and will try not to convict innocent people, or to punish the guilty more harshly than they deserve. But the courts are underfunded, understaffed, and busy, and they also want to clear cases through quickly, glossing over errors and improprieties. The police and prosecutors can make mistakes, witnesses can lie, and scientific tests aren’t always accurate. Innocent people sit in prison and complain to their cellmates about how the system treated them or how their attorney didn’t fight for them.
It’s possible that a public defender will work hard to help you. But it’s easy for you to get lost in the system. You can’t choose your own public defender. But if you choose to hire your own counsel, you can choose someone you trust, someone who will protect your rights and help you work your way through an unfamiliar system. And, if you need an attorney, or you aren’t comfortable with the one you have, don’t delay. Some deadlines come up quickly after the first court appearances, and using the same strategy from beginning to end is better than switching in the middle. If you want to know how I could help with your case, please get in touch right away.
