Being charged with a crime can be one of the scariest and most difficult times in your life. While you may be extremely worried about what is to come, you need to carefully consider the decisions you make at this time. One of the biggest decisions you face is deciding whether to hire a criminal defense attorney or use a public defender. Here are three reasons why it may be beneficial to hire a defense lawyer.

1. Public Defenders Are Overloaded

If you cannot afford a lawyer, one may be appointed to you. The one that is appointed to you is a public defender, and unfortunately, in most counties, they are overworked and overloaded. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the annual caseload for public defenders ranged from 50 to 590 cases. The American Bar Association recommends the maximum caseload for felony cases to be set at 150 cases and misdemeanor cases to be set at 400. If your defender is overloaded, they cannot give your case the attention it needs.

2. You Have a Lot at Stake

You should hire a criminal defense attorney because you have a lot at stake. You have your freedom, potential jail or prison time, fines or penalties, and your criminal record at stake. Having a criminal conviction can affect everything from your ability to work in certain fields to your ability to secure housing to your ability to enter certain countries. With so much on the line, you want the best representation you can find.

3. You Should Have a Say in Who Defends You

Lastly, when you hire a criminal defense attorney on your own, you can interview those professionals and have a say in who defends you. When the courts appoint a lawyer for you, you have no say in who you get. You want to ensure you get along with the legal professional and that you see things eye to eye. You may not be able to do that if you have no say in who represents you.

When you are charged with a crime, there is a lot on the line, including your freedom. By hiring a criminal defense attorney, you have a say in who defends you and you avoid overworked public defenders who may be unable to dedicate enough time to your case. Reach out to the Law Office of Vincent Felletter as soon as possible if you are being asked questions about a crime or as soon as possible after being charged.