Replacing the Public Defender





A public defender is usually only allocated to a defendant when he or she is not financially stable to pay for the services of a criminal lawyer through his or her means as the public defender is free of charge. Most of these legal professionals have been obtained through a public defender’s office or through a panel of court approved private lawyers that are local.

When the public defender provided does not appear to be sufficient for whatever reason, the defending party has the option as a right to hire a private legal representative. It is best to discuss this with the judge before starting the process. This action may be advised against if it occurs in the middle of the trial or after all the evidence and witnesses have been obtained for the proceedings. However, before anything important or crucial occurs, exchanging legal representation may be best if the public defender is not performing his or her duties to the best of his or her capability.

Disagreements and Communication with a Public Defender

When the person being defended by a public defender has a disagreement with the lawyer, it is best to communicate this dissatisfaction to the person in question. Conversing with this individual may garner results. However, if he or she is still not able to perform well enough to create a suitable defense, own of the first persons to contact would be his or her supervisor. Rare they may be, certain circumstances warrant a new public defender that may be better equipped to deal with the case. This is accomplished with no court intervention and little difficulty. However, the new lawyer may not have any added time to prepare for trial. 

If a new public defender is not possible, and communication fails to correct the matter, it is possible to request a hearing with the court for new counsel representation. When this occurs, the judge asks many questions as to why a new lawyer is requested. He or she may determine the request valid or invalid by the answers to these questions and the circumstances of the case. If the request is granted, this may only garner a new public defender from the same office the previous one came from. Additionally, the client is not permitted to pick or choose the person appointed. It’s usually recommended to attempt to salvage the relationship with the current or obtain a new public defender public defender before a private lawyer is requested. 

Asking for a New Lawyer and Judge Assistance

When there is a request for a new lawyer that is not a public defender, the courtroom is sealed with only the judge, defendant and the currently appointed lawyer in attendance. The records of this activity are sealed with no accept to the transcript of the meeting available. The grievance is explained with the lawyer responding to this and the judge may ask several questions to clarify the issue. Before
Melbourne,Criminal Law Firms are considered, the judge often attempt to resolve the conflict first. To detail the issue, it is best to ensure that documentation and a description of the problem is well organized and specific. This may provide a successful argument to the judge about a lack of communication, a failure to investigate matters of the case and any failure to create valid and useful legal arguments during the trial. 

Losing Motion to Substitute

If the motion is lost in attempting to replace the court appointed lawyer, it is possible to file a complaint with the state bar. This causes an immediate conflict of interest between the client and his or her lawyer which requires the public defender to request of the court to appoint a replacement. This is a drastic step to take, and it may cause irritation with the judge that has denied the motion to replace. It may negatively impact the case in this manner. However, appealing the judgement of the refusal to appoint
Melbourne, Criminal Law Firms depends on the state for non-federal crimes. Other action is possible, but usually only after judgement has been passed on the trial and the defendant loses his or her case. It is best to initiate the process of hiring a private lawyer immediately either with family and friends or through phone calls so that a public defender may be replaced before he or she is needed. Many judges may permit the replacement if the public defender was only appointed in the interim until a private legal representative was available.