Legal Question in Criminal Law in Florida

What is needed to request that your court appointed attorney be removed from you

I have a relative that was appointed a public defender. The public defender has made it clear by saying she believe the defendant is guilty and he should plea. He adamantly states he is not guilty and says the evidence will show he is innocent. One of the charges included (he had two w/ same case number) was dismissed due to lack of information. He now have a scheduled court for Aug. 30, 2004 and will be represented by this same attorney. He wants another attorney that is going to stand with him and prove his innocence. He is scared he is going to get railroaded because of this attorneys' lack of concern on his behalf. He just graduated from high school, is enrolled for college this upcoming semester and does not want this to hurt or hender his schooling. Can he write a letter to the judge requesting this attorney be removed due to conflict of interest and be able to receive another.


Asked on 8/17/04, 10:41 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Adam Frankel Adam Frankel, P.A.

Re: What is needed to request that your court appointed attorney be removed from

As a former Assistant Public Defender in Palm Beach County I can tell you that there are times that we do not get along with out clients. That being said, there was never a time that I told a client they were guilty and that he or she MUST accept a plea.

Your relative should speak with a supervisor in the Public Defenders office in the county where he or she resides and express the problems they have with the attorney they have been assigned.

If that does not work he or she should speak with the judge and express the problems that have occured.

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Answered on 8/18/04, 9:24 am


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