A conviction for driving under the influence carries one of the strictest required penalties in the state of California. A competent DUI attorney is absolutely necessary for the success of your legal defence, as the consequences of a conviction for driving under the influence can be severe, ranging from the imposition of hefty fines and penalties to the mandatory completion of a DUI education course.
One question that potential clients often ask us during our free consultations at our California DUI defense firm is, ” Will a public defender help me beat a DUI charge?”
This is one of the most common inquiries that we have been asked. To answer your question in a nutshell, “yes.” However, it is important to be aware of some of the advantages and disadvantages of electing to accept the appointment of a public defender rather than retaining a private DUI defense attorney; learn more here.
The following is a list of some of the most important distinctions:
Legal Experience
Public defenders are extremely qualified criminal defence attorneys, despite the widespread misconception to the contrary. It is a common misunderstanding that public defenders are inferior lawyers; in actuality, the vast majority of public defenders have substantially more experience than the majority of low-cost, so-called “cheap” DUI lawyers. This misperception is as far from the truth as it is possible to get.
Nonetheless, despite the fact that public defenders are accomplished attorneys in their own right, defence attorneys have significantly more effective courtroom experience than the vast majority of DUI attorneys practising in Southern California.
A Drunk Driving Defense Attorney Who You Have Privately Retained May Present in Court Without You
A private DUI attorney can represent you in court unless you are charged with a felony DUI or a misdemeanour DUI along with a separate felony charge. In these cases, the lawyer cannot attend on your behalf. If a public defender were representing you in court, you would not be subject to this restriction. It is a convenience that many of our clients appreciate, despite the fact that your absence from court will not provide any strategic advantage in the defence of your case. During a DUI pre-trial period that is diligent and thorough, a person may be required to appear in court multiple times over the course of several months.
