After being charged with a crime, you are often faced with making the decision between asking for a public defender to represent you or hiring a private attorney for your case. Although the cheaper option of a public defender may sound appealing at first, it is crucial that the attorney you hire is responsible, reliable and has the time to make your case a top priority.

We recently read a story about a Los Angeles Public Defender that caught our attention.

L.A. County Public Defender Arrested for being Drunk in Public

Early Wednesday morning, it was reported by the San Mateo County district attorney’s office that Los Angeles County public defender Monica Marie Jenkins was at the San Francisco airport waiting to board her flight to Los Angeles. Jenkins was allegedly so intoxicated that airport officials denied her access onto the plane. When airport personnel suggested that she sober up and catch a later flight, Jenkins reportedly refused and demanded to be taken to jail. At that point, her wish was granted and the police were called.

The LA Times reported that, according to the prosecutors, as Jenkins was being arrested she began screaming profanities, threatened to sue the officers, and kicked a police officer, all while performing an acoustic version of “Rock Around the Clock” for the rest of the airport to enjoy.
Once in the police car, the San Mateo County District Attorney’s office reported that Jenkins asked an officer to give her cocaine.

Jenkins was charged with five misdemeanor counts related to public drunkenness, resisting arrest and assault on an officer. She has pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released on her own recognizance. Jenkins is scheduled to return to court in July.¹

Public Defenders vs. Private Attorneys

The incident involving Ms. Jenkins is of course an isolated event and clearly not indicative of how all public defenders or private attorneys act. The vast majority of public defenders will not be accused of criminal conduct. It does however shed light on how important it is that you hire an attorney you can trust and know that he/she will work around the clock to get you the best possible result in your case.

However, when you or a loved one has been arrested, you have only one chance to decide who the best lawyer to represent you is.

Do you want an experienced criminal defense law firm fighting for your freedom or do you want to be represented by a public defender?

Many public defenders are being asked to represent far too many people accused of crimes on a daily basis. If you are represented by a public defender there is a good chance on the day your case is in court that the public defender assigned to your case may also be assigned to defend many other people. In some cases that can be as many as 20 or more people in one day.

Compare that to having an experienced private criminal defense lawyer represent you. Often, a private attorney will:

• Be in court on your case and your case ONLY.
• He will have been able to meet with you in his office (or if you are in custody, in the jail) to discuss your case.
• He will have likely have been able to go over the police report with you line by line.
• He will understand your defenses.
• He will understand your background and will have had the time to properly prepare your case.

When you are facing the possible loss of your freedom and employment don’t you deserve the type of quality representation you can receive from a private criminal defense law firm?

Wallin & Klarich Cares about Your Case

Wallin & Klarich has successfully represented thousands of clients who have faced a variety of charges in California for over 30 years. At Wallin and Klarich, our private attorneys will make your case a priority and will stop at nothing to defend your legal rights.

With offices in Los Angeles, Sherman Oaks, Torrance, Tustin, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, West Covina and Victorville, there is an experienced Wallin & Klarich defense attorney near you no matter where you work or live.

Call us today for a free phone consultation. We will be there when you call.

^{1. [http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-la-public-defender-arrested-airport-20140321,0,1150844.story#axzz2wvEdF59g]↩}