Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

public defender private defender

What is the difference between public and private defenders? They tell you the court will appoint a attorney at no cost to you then send you a bill of almost $600.00 saying it was a private defender I thought court appointed lawyers were free


Asked on 3/24/09, 1:12 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Lyle Johnson Bedi and Johnson Attorneys at Law

Re: public defender private defender

The difference is that a public defender usually is employed by the county. A private defender is an attorney who contracts with the county or court to provide legal services to indigent defendants. With either type of attorney the court can order the defendant to pay attorney fees. The amount of the fee is dependent upon the ability of the defendant to pay. The amounts I have seen ordered by courts in only a fraction of what a private attorney would charge to represent the person.

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Answered on 3/31/09, 12:38 am


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