3 Types of Criminal Defense Lawyers

If you or a loved one are facing criminal charges, you must protect your future by having a criminal defense lawyer represent you in court. However, once you begin your research, it can come as a surprise to learn that there are a few different types of criminal defense lawyers. 

It’s essential to make sure you have the right type of criminal defense lawyer on your case. Whether your primary concern is experience with your case type or affordability, understanding the options can help you narrow down the choices and hire the criminal defense lawyer that is right for you.

1. Public Defenders

Public defenders might be the most commonly used types of criminal defense lawyers. The court appoints these attorneys when you don’t opt to hire a private lawyer. The court uses your income to set the rate you pay for a public defender. Depending on your income level, a public defender can be cheap or even free, often making this the most affordable option for a criminal defense attorney. 

However, affordability often comes with a price when you allow a public defender to handle your case. Public defenders are legal professionals who fight for their clients. Unfortunately, they are often overstretched, with too many clients and insufficient time to give each case the dedication required for a strong defense. 

Because the court appoints public defenders, they don’t have to worry about concerns like attracting clients or maintaining positive reviews. While most public defenders strive to deliver the representation their clients deserve, it can be hard to tell whether the public defender assigned to your case is skilled at their job. 

2. Private Defense Attorneys

A private defense attorney is a criminal defense lawyer who practices privately. This type of criminal defense lawyer either has their own law firm or works as part of a larger firm. Private defense lawyers usually cost more than public defenders, although how much a private lawyer charges can vary widely by firm and experience level. 

When you’re willing to pay more for legal representation, you can expect to receive a much higher level of care and attention to your case. Private criminal defense lawyers often have a reputation for building strategic defenses that result in dropped or significantly reduced charges. 

Private defense lawyers are passionate about fighting for their clients. They usually take the time to build a relationship with their clients, carefully investigate each case, explore all possible avenues for a strong defense, and deliver personalized representation.  

3. Legal Aid Attorneys

Legal aid organizations help connect low-income and unemployed clients to free legal services. In some cases, lawyers work directly for legal aid organizations. In other instances, organizations connect clients to local attorneys pro bono. 

This type of criminal defense lawyer, legal aid attorneys, does not typically handle criminal cases. Low-income clients seeking affordable or free legal services for a criminal case should have access to a court-appointed public prosecutor. 

However, it’s common for criminal charges to result in a domino effect, leading to other types of court cases. For example, domestic battery charges can result in a civil case for a risk protection order or a juvenile court case for child custody and visitation rights. 

The court system only appoints public prosecutors in criminal cases. If your criminal charges lead to the need for another type of criminal defense lawyer and you’re concerned about your ability to afford one, a legal aid attorney may be able to help with your case. 

Specialists in Criminal Defense

Regardless of the type of criminal defense lawyer you hire, it’s important to be aware that they often concentrate on certain areas of criminal law. If you have a public defender, you don’t have much control over your lawyer’s experience. 

A key benefit of hiring a private defense attorney is that you can shop around for one with experience relevant to your charges. Once you begin researching different types of lawyers, you’ll find that defense attorneys often focus on certain cases. 

Common specialties within criminal law include: 

• DUI/DWI charges
• Drug charges
• Violent crimes
• White collar crimes
• Sex crimes
• Property crimes 

If you’re facing charges for drug possession, a criminal defense lawyer who primarily focuses on fraud charges probably isn’t the best fit for your case. To increase your chances of a successful defense, you should choose an attorney with a long track record of working on cases similar to yours.  

Choosing the Right Type of Defense Lawyer

Choosing the right type of criminal defense lawyer is essential to maximizing the outcome of your case. A skilled, dedicated lawyer may be able to have your charges dropped entirely. If that’s not possible, they may be able to have them reduced to lesser charges. 

Even if the evidence against you makes reduced charges impossible, an experienced lawyer can argue for reduced or lenient sentencing. In some cases, a lawyer may help you avoid jail time if they can successfully convince the judge to sentence you to probation, community service, or a rehabilitation program. 

Factors to consider when choosing the right type of criminal defense lawyer include: 

• Your budget and ability to afford legal services
• The severity of your charges
• The amount of jail time and fines you are facing
• How the charges will impact your future

If your finances permit, it’s nearly always preferable to hire a private defense attorney rather than relying on the representation of a public defender, particularly true in cases involving serious charges. Even if it’s financially difficult, paying for a private defender is an investment in your future that nearly always pays off. 

Felonies usually lead to significant jail time and hefty fines. These charges can also lifelong impact your ability to get a job or rent an apartment. Even misdemeanors can prevent you from securing a job or gaining college admission.  

Additionally, seemingly minor criminal charges on your record now can significantly affect future cases. If you are arrested again, having prior charges on record directly impacts factors like your sentencing time and the severity of the charge. Fighting to keep your record clear can make a major difference if you ever end up in legal trouble again. 

Questions to Ask Potential Lawyers

It can be difficult to know where to start if you decide to explore opinions for a private defense attorney. How do you choose the right type of criminal defense lawyer? Even if a lawyer is good, how do you know they’ll obtain the results you’re hoping for?

Knowing what to look for and what questions to ask can help you feel confident that you’re choosing the best lawyer for your case. You can find potential lawyers by consulting online legal directories or legal organizations. During this process, list the best options and schedule consultations with the most promising ones.

It’s important to look for defense attorneys who have a history of working on cases similar to your own. As you look for a lawyer, consider factors like: 

• How long they have been a lawyer
• How long they’ve practiced in your geographic area
• What client testimonials and online reviews indicate
• Whether their case results involve cases similar to yours

It’s important to select a defense attorney who’s well-versed in building a defense for the particular charges you’re facing. 

Once you’ve identified a few defense lawyers with impressive results and the needed experience, you should attend a few consultations to get a feel for the lawyer and how they can help. Questions to bring to your consultation include: 

• What possible penalties am I facing?
• How can you help my case?
• What defense strategies will you use in my case?
• Can you help get my charges dropped or reduced?
• Can you help achieve reduced or lenient sentencing?

You want to leave a consultation with a clear understanding of the strategy a defense attorney will use once they hear the facts of your case. At the same time, consider factors like how they treat you and their communication skills. You want to feel that your lawyer cares about you and your outcome and will keep you in the loop as your case unfolds. 

Understanding Fee Structures

Defense attorneys use two basic fee structures: retainer fees and hourly fees. With a retainer fee, you pay a single lump sum for legal services. The amount you’ll owe will depend on factors like the complexity of your case, the severity of your charges, and the lawyer’s experience level. If paying the entire retainer up front is a financial challenge, your lawyer may allow you to break the payment up into installments owed over time. 

The other option is an hourly fee. With this arrangement, every minute your lawyer spends on your case is billed at their hourly rate. For example, if a lawyer has an hourly fee of $200, they’ll bill you $100 for a thirty-minute court appearance and another $3.33 for a one-minute phone call. For a complex case, a retainer fee is often a more cost-effective approach. 

Some types of criminal defense lawyers also offer a fee structure known as a contingency fee. However, this type of arrangement isn’t usually used in criminal cases. At The Denson Firm, we offer free phone consultations, allowing you to understand your options with no obligation or cost. 

Partnering With The Denson Firm for Your Defense

If you’re looking for a private criminal defense attorney in Florida, The Denson Firm can help. Our attorneys have decades of experience and a long track record of successfully defending clients from criminal charges. Whether it’s your first offense or it’s not, your first time dealing with Florida’s criminal justice system, the types of criminal defense attorneys at The Denson Firm can help with your case. 

Schedule your free phone consultation with a Florida criminal defense attorney at The Denson Firm today.