Legal Question in Criminal Law in Florida

Re: My public defender problem

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Public defenders are often overworked and have to divide their time between hundreds of cases. They obviously cannot give you the same attention that a private attorney would give. If you cannot afford to hire private counsel, your only other option is to provide your own defense.

Scott R. Jay, Esq.

Re: My public defender problem

I was a public defender for 8 years. I am sure your public defender is working on your case. He may not be doing what you want, but he or she knows what to do. A public defender wont try a case unless he is ready. You can try speaking with your pd to discuss your concerns. You can write the judge about your concerns about the lawyering. Beware I have never seen a judge remove a lawyer at a client's request based on perceived ineffectiveness.

Re: My public defender problem

I too was a PD....for 5 years. How do you know your PD is not working on your case? Have you spoken to him/her? Have you asked what the theory of the defense is going to be? Do depositions need to be taken? What's the litigation strategy?

If you are not getting satisfactory answers (even though they are PDs they still must communicate with you since u are their client), then you should write a letter to him/her indicating your concerns. That will lay out the groundwork if you need to file a motion for ineffective assitance of counsel later.