Public defenders or court-appointed attorneys in state and federal court are usually excellent attorneys with a lot of experience practicing before the court in which they appear. On the other hand, they are often more difficult to communicate with, as they have busy caseloads, and you have not “bought” their time with a fee.

Private lawyers with experience, good track records, a good reputation and who are willing to try a case, are usually worth every penny.

Another factor is, if you have a decent job or earn a decent income, you may not qualify for the services of a “free” attorney.