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7.4.5: Private Attorney

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    Private attorneys play a pivotal role in the legal landscape, offering individuals accused of crimes the option to secure legal representation beyond the public defense system. Approximately 20% of defendants choose to retain private attorneys (Cohen, 2014). Opting for a private attorney comes with distinct advantages. First and foremost, private attorneys typically possess greater financial resources, allowing for more comprehensive investigations and the development of stronger legal strategies (Neubauer & Fradella, 2018). Additionally, private attorneys can devote more time to individual cases, providing a more personalized and focused approach. Their autonomy allows for a heightened level of aggression in the courtroom, unrestricted by routine interactions with prosecutors and judges, as often encountered by public defense attorneys (Cohen, 2014). This increased aggression can be particularly beneficial in securing favorable trial outcomes (Fortino, 2021).

    However, private attorneys also face certain challenges. Many private attorneys practice various types of law, potentially lacking the specialized expertise in criminal law that public defenders may possess. Despite potential courtroom advantages, the absence of established relationships with prosecutors and judges may complicate plea negotiations for private attorneys (Spohn, 2015). Moreover, research by Cohen (2014) suggests that while privately retained attorneys may excel in keeping clients out of jail, individuals represented by private attorneys often receive longer sentences than those represented by public defense attorneys. Private attorneys, thus, offer a distinct avenue for legal representation, balancing advantages and challenges within the criminal justice system.

    Indigent Defendents

    Indigent defendants are individuals who lack the financial means to afford legal representation. The term “indigent” is commonly used to describe those who are impoverished and unable to pay for the services of a defense attorney. Recognizing the constitutional right to legal counsel, the U.S. Supreme Court, through decisions such as Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) mandated that indigent defendants charged with a felony are entitled to the provision of a defense attorney, even if they cannot afford one. Later, the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Argersinger v. Hamlin (1972) expanded the rights of the accused to include the right to an attorney for any situation where the accused faces incarceration. This legal safeguard ensures that individuals facing criminal charges, irrespective of their financial status, have access to legal representation to protect their rights and ensure a fair trial. The commitment to providing legal assistance for indigent defendants is a cornerstone of the justice system’s efforts to uphold constitutional principles and promote fairness in criminal proceedings.

    Public Defense System

    After the 1970s, states underwent significant transformations in their criminal defense systems to ensure legal representation for all individuals facing incarceration. There are three primary systems employed by states to provide attorneys for the criminally accused: 1) the public defenders system, 2) the assigned counsel system, and 3) the contract system. While some states exclusively adopt a single system, others, like Washington, employ a hybrid approach by utilizing a combination of multiple systems.

    The public defenders system operates as a government-run office employing full-time salaried attorneys, predominantly implemented in larger cities and high-caseload areas due to their relatively higher cost. In the assigned counsel system, the court appoints private attorneys on a case-by-case basis to represent indigent defendants. Selected from a list of qualified lawyers, these private attorneys receive compensation for each individual case from the city, county, or state, making the assigned counsel system a more cost-effective solution. This system is particularly suitable for rural areas or regions with lower caseloads. The contract system involves the city, county, or state entering into a contract with a private law firm or individual attorneys to provide legal counsel for indigent clients. The number of contracts may vary based on jurisdictional needs, and attorneys under these systems receive a predetermined fee for representing indigent defendants. Notably, attorneys in the public defense system usually exclusively practice criminal defense, while those in the assigned or contract systems often handle other areas of law alongside their defense work.

    This page titled 7.4.5: Private Attorney was last modified on Sat, 26 Sep 2026 19:45:07 GMT and is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Antoniette Aizon.