Most people are familiar with the Miranda warning that is read to defendants after they have been arrested. After reminding the defendant of their right to remain silent, the Miranda warning concludes with the statement that a lawyer will be appointed if the defendant cannot afford to hire their own attorney.
Public Defenders are Assigned Too Many Clients
That sounds great, but how is it working out in Maryland? In August of 2016, the Baltimore Sun reported on the heavy caseloads of public defenders and the effect this has on their clients. The state has an official caseload limit for public defenders, but this is more of a recommendation than an enforceable requirement. Typically, a public defender is trying to handle many more cases than the official caseload recommendation. Attorneys working as public defenders would like to spend as much time on each case as it deserves, but there are not enough hours in the day to do that when they are juggling far too many clients.
Defendants Pay the Price
What happens if a defendant is relying upon a public defender instead of hiring a Criminal Defense Attorney in Timonium MD? The jails are overcrowded with defendants who are waiting much longer than they should for their case to be heard. Court dates are frequently postponed while the defendant sits in jail. This situation affects all of the defendants . There are too many people in jail, too many cases for the courts to hear and not enough public defenders.
Plea Deals
A plea deal is how a great many cases are settled, rather than going to trial. The prosecutor and the defendant’s attorney have a meeting, perhaps in a conference room after both have conducted an extensive investigation or perhaps during an accidental meeting in the hallway of the courthouse. If they reach an agreement, the defendant’s attorney will present the deal to the client, who will be reminded of the possible consequences if found guilty at trial. Although the defendant has the final say, plea deals are accepted more often than not. The prosecutor and the public defender now have one less case to handle.
If you want your case to get the attention it deserves, call Maria K. Caruso. This experienced Criminal Defense Attorney in Timonium MD will stand by your side and fight vigorously to defend your rights.
