Top Things to Know When Finding County Attorneys
County attorneys, also called public defenders, are provided by your county to give legal help to those who cannot afford representation. This service, guaranteed by the US Constitution, may be the only attorney you can obtain in you are in need. If you are in that situation, pick the best county attorney you can.
- Refer to your county website. You will find that most counties list their public defenders on their website. You can look at their qualifications and find one that will meet your needs. Many public defenders also have a specific types of cases that they specialize in, so keep that in mind when looking.
- Check with your state bar association. They will have a listing of the public defenders by county. If you have any questions, you can call the state bar association and ask for assistance.
- Talk with the judge when you are in court and inform them that you do not have the means to hire an attorney. By law, if this is true, you will be supplied with a county attorney. The judge will ask you several questions about your financial situation. If you can afford an attorney, you will not be allowed a public defender to represent you.
- Sit down with a potential county attorney and let them know your situation. Be truthful with them and lay out the entire case for them. If you believe they will serve you well, continue to work with them. If not, petition the court for another public defender to represent you.