Blair Defense Criminal Lawyers | April 7, 2025 | Criminal Law
Criminal defense lawyers can be expensive. In fact, many of them charge more than many criminal defendants can afford—to the tune of hundreds of dollars per hour. If you anticipate having trouble paying for the best criminal defense, know that you have certain options available to you.
Not all of these options are equal, however, so it may be in your best interest to hire a private attorney for your case depending on the facts. This blog post will fill you in on how to afford a criminal lawyer.
What if I’m Innocent?
You might imagine that you don’t need to worry about how to afford a criminal lawyer if you didn’t commit the crime the state has charged you with. You might imagine all you need to do is explain things to the police, and everything will be okay.
This is dangerous and potentially disastrous thinking. Yes, you certainly do need a criminal defense lawyer if you’re innocent. Arguably, that is when you need a lawyer the most: to prevent an innocent person from going to prison.
The Sixth Amendment Right to Counsel and Public Defenders
The Sixth Amendment to the US Constitution guarantees the right to counsel. Of course, criminal defense lawyers cost money, and not everyone can afford one.
The courts addressed the problem of affordability by establishing the public defender’s office. If the court decides that you cannot afford a lawyer, they will assign you a public defender.
A public defender is a salaried employee who works for the government. If you are facing state charges, the public defender will work for the state of California. If you are facing federal charges, the public defender will work for the United States government.
Public defenders are subject to a professional and legal obligation to provide the best possible defense for the defendants the government assigns to them. Most public defenders are very competent and highly motivated. The problem is that they are often so overburdened with clients that they lack the time and resources they need to properly defend them. For this reason, avoid using a public defender if you can.
Assigned Counsel Panel / Court-Appointed Attorneys
If you don’t qualify for a public defender, a San Diego criminal court might assign you a private criminal defense attorney from a panel of approved lawyers who take indigent defense cases at a discount.
Nonprofit Legal Aid Groups
Most legal aid groups don’t handle criminal defense. Nevertheless, a few of these organizations might offer referrals, limited representation, or out-of-court advice relating to your case.
Law School Clinics
Some San Diego law schools, such as the California Western School of Law or the Thomas Jefferson School of Law, operate legal clinics where law students help criminal defendants under faculty supervision. These students cannot appear in court, however.
Pro Bono Criminal Defense Attorneys
“Pro bono” means “free of charge.” The American Bar Association encourages lawyers to offer 50 hours of pro bono legal services per year. Although few pro bono attorneys offer criminal defense services, it is not out of the question.
Payment Plans
Even if you cannot afford to pay your legal fees in advance, you might find a criminal defense lawyer who is willing to take up your defense on a payment plan. With a payment plan, you can spread out payments over a long period of time.
Have You Been Charged With a Crime?
Are you the defendant in a criminal proceeding? If so, you need to act quickly and decisively to secure legal representation. Skimping on legal services during a criminal prosecution is not a good way to save money. After all, the consequences of securing substandard representation might be years in prison.
Although no ethical lawyer will offer a guarantee of success, a skilled criminal defense lawyer might be able to win you an acquittal or a favorable plea deal. Contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer at your earliest convenience to schedule a case consultation so you can explore your options.
Contact a San Diego Criminal Defense Lawyer at Blair Defense Criminal Lawyers Today For Help
For more information, please contact the San Diego criminal defense attorneys at Blair Defense Criminal Lawyers for a free consultation, give us a call at (619) 357-4977, or visit our convenient location:
Blair Defense Criminal Lawyers – San Diego Criminal Defense Law Firm
255 Broadway, Ste 1740. San Diego, CA. 92101
24/7
