Frequently Asked Questions from Clients

A public defender is a fully licensed criminal defense attorney. We've graduated from law school and passed the bar — we're the same as any lawyer in private practice. Our job is to defend you.

No. We do not work for the State, and we are not affiliated with the District Attorney, the County Attorney, or law enforcement. We work for you — full stop. The prosecutor is our adversary.

Yes — completely. Everything you share with your attorney and our support staff is protected by attorney-client privilege. We have a legal and ethical duty to keep it confidential.

No. Our representation is free. You cannot pay us, and you should not try to — it will not affect how hard we work for you. Every client gets our full effort.

Anyone accused of a crime who cannot afford a private attorney may qualify. The court will have you fill out a short income form. If the judge finds you are "indigent," an attorney will be appointed at no cost.

We will represent you regardless of where you are from or your immigration status. Everyone is entitled to a defense.

Stay calm. Do not resist or argue. Beyond providing basic identifying information if required, say nothing. Ask for an attorney — then wait.

Within 48 hours of arrest, you are entitled to appear before a magistrate. The court will determine whether there was probable cause for your arrest and set a bond amount. This is not your trial — it is a brief initial hearing.

No. Politely decline and ask for an attorney. Police are allowed to be misleading during questioning, and anything you say can be used against you — even innocent statements. You have an absolute constitutional right to remain silent. Use it.

You have the right to refuse consent. Say clearly: "I do not consent to a search." If they search anyway, do not physically resist — just make sure you said no. Your attorney can challenge an unlawful search later in court.

If you're in custody, the State must file charges within:

• 90 days for a felony
• 30 days for a Class A misdemeanor
• 15 days for a Class B misdemeanor

If you've been released, longer statutes of limitations apply.

At your first appearance before a magistrate, tell the judge you cannot afford an attorney and want one appointed. You'll fill out a financial form, and once the court confirms eligibility, an attorney will be assigned.

You can call us with general questions, but we cannot formally represent you or discuss your case until the court has appointed us. The most important step is requesting appointment at your first hearing.

Your attorney will reach out directly — in person if you're in jail, by phone if you've been released. You can also call our office if you haven't heard anything after a few days.

That sometimes happens if our office has a conflict or is at capacity. Either way, it's free to you. If you're unsure who was appointed, contact the court clerk.

Through in-person visits at the jail and by phone. If you haven't heard from your attorney within a few days of your appointment, ask jail staff or inmate services to help you contact our office.

Yes — but do not discuss your case on jail calls. All calls are recorded and can be used as evidence. If a family member asks what happened, say: "I can't talk about this because the call is recorded."

Bond is what allows you to be released while your case proceeds. There are two main types:

• Surety bond — a dollar amount set by the court. Pay it in full, or use a bondsman for a fee (usually 10–15%).
• PR bond — released on your promise to appear. No money required, but not everyone qualifies.

Tell your attorney right away. They can request a bond reduction hearing and argue for a lower amount or a PR bond. Sitting in jail because of an unaffordable bond is something we take seriously and will fight.

Yes. Posting bond does not affect your representation at all. Contact your attorney as soon as you're released.

Your attorney can file a motion to return your property. Make sure to tell them what was taken.

Contact your attorney as soon as possible. Confirm your next court date and ask what you need to do before then. The earlier you connect, the better we can prepare your defense.

Yes — absolutely. Bond conditions are court orders. They may include check-ins, drug testing, travel restrictions, no-contact orders, or electronic monitoring. Violating any condition can send you back to jail. If you're unsure what your conditions are, ask your attorney or the court clerk immediately.

Tell your attorney right away. There may be options to modify the conditions. Do not simply stop complying without speaking to your attorney first.

It depends on your conditions. Some bonds restrict travel outside a certain area. Check with your attorney before making any travel plans — even a short trip.

Not if there's a no-contact order in your conditions. Violating a no-contact order is a separate criminal offense and can also result in your bond being revoked. If you're uncertain whether one applies to you, ask your attorney before reaching out to anyone connected to the case.

No. Do not discuss your charges, the incident, or anything related to the case anywhere — not social media, text messages, or phone calls. Prosecutors use social media posts as evidence. Treat everything you say or write as potentially admissible in court.

Contact your attorney immediately. A missed court date will likely result in a warrant for your arrest. The sooner you act, the better the chance of addressing it before more consequences pile up.

Cases where someone faces jail or prison time — Class A and B misdemeanors, felonies, juvenile delinquency, and appeals. We do not handle Class C misdemeanors (like traffic tickets), civil matters, or family law.

A misdemeanor is a less serious offense. Class A carries up to 1 year in jail and/or a $4,000 fine; Class B carries up to 6 months and/or $2,000. A felony is more serious — ranging from 180 days in a state jail facility to life in prison.

Discovery is all the evidence the State has in your case — police reports, photos, videos, lab results, witness statements. Your attorney will review all of it to build your defense.

For felony cases, the prosecutor presents the case to a grand jury — local citizens who decide if there's probable cause to proceed. If they agree, they issue an indictment. This is not a finding of guilt — it just means the case moves forward.

Generally, no. Neither side can communicate privately with the judge about a pending case. If you have something to raise, tell your attorney — they will address it through the proper legal channel.

An expungement clears a record entirely. A non-disclosure seals part of your record from public view. Not every offense qualifies. Ask your attorney if you may be eligible after your case concludes.

Attorneys are often in court, with clients, or at the jail. Leave a voicemail with your name, a callback number, and the best time to reach you. Make sure your voicemail is set up — and check it. We will call back.

Dress neatly — clean jeans or slacks, a button-down or blouse, closed-toe shoes. No shorts, flip-flops, torn clothing, or anything with profanity. Bring any documents your attorney asked for, plus a pen and paper.

Nothing that could be considered a weapon — including pocket knives or pepper spray. Check the specific courthouse rules in advance, as some do not allow cell phones either.

Our office handles criminal cases only. But we can refer you to legal aid and other organizations that may help with housing, family law, benefits, or other civil matters.

Case information is confidential between the client and their attorney. Your loved one can choose to tell you who their attorney is, but we cannot disclose case details to third parties.

Court appointments can only be made by the accused person. They must request it themselves at their first court appearance. Encourage them to do so right away.

Encourage your loved one to stay in contact with their attorney and make every court date. Avoid discussing case details on jail calls or in texts. If you have information relevant to the defense, call our office and we'll tell you the right way to share it.

You are entitled to representation regardless of language or immigration status. If no one on staff speaks your language, we will arrange professional interpretation so you can communicate fully with your attorney — and in every court hearing.