Yes. If you qualify in terms of income, you can obtain the services of a public defender. A public defender is usually an experienced criminal lawyer who works for the county or state. They represent people who cannot afford to hire their own lawyer. Public defenders are usually competent and know the court system very well. The drawbacks to obtaining a public defender are their high case loads and the fact they cannot represent you until after you have been charged. We have great respect for the ability and competency of the public defenders in the Southern California Counties.
Are There Free Resources if I Cannot Afford a Lawyer?
