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were you treated well by your public defender??

harpssong
harpssong
so my bf is awaiting trial for his crimes. we can't afford an attorney so have a court appointed one. I know he is super busy and doesn't have time to hold my hand, which I'm not asking for. I had 4 questions and only got two out before he basically made me feel like sh*t. I wanted to know if because my bf's looking at federal charges does that mean that he'll have to do the whole sentence or is there a chance for early parole!?! simple question I thought... he basically told me that he's told my bf not to discuss the case at all and that if he does then anything that comes back on his is his fault... I tried to explain that my bf was just trying to let me know about the additional charges and time because I'm pregnant and he just wanted me to know...
the lawyer just spoke over me dismissively and basically got across that he wasn't going to discuss anything with me and that I shouldn't call again.
did any of you have the same issue?? and was asking that question discussing specifics of the case??? should my bf not inform me of anything???
harpssong
harpssong
@ksteeler, that must have been so tough!!
PeaceN2You
PeaceN2You
My sons PD. was president of the local bar association - translated "In cahoots with the prosecutor, the judge, and probably worse."

He was a shit up until the day of court, made it plain he thought my son was lying, and just exhibited a nasty attitude.

He did perk up in court, but imagine how much better he could have done if he'd actually put his heart or his head in the game.
Advocate2
Advocate2
I have noticed in my area that many times in sex offenses the public defenders are able to achieve better outcomes for the defendants - more experience maybe?
aladdin4d
aladdin4d
@Advocate,

I think a big part of it is many of Florida's sex offense statutes are either relatively new or recently amended and because of that there isn't much in the way of "settled law". Because it isn't settled law I see several of the PD offices forcing certain issues in motions en masse which even if they are denied generally still produce a better outcome. This also leaves defendants with issues preserved for appeal and the appellate PD's are very very good.
Independent2014
Independent2014
Braininterrupted brings up a really good point about not talking to your loved ones when you are still being prosecuted for your case. They can and most likely will be called to the stand to testify AGAINST YOU by the prosecution if you talked to them about your case. What you say to your lawyer is protected under attorney client privilege. Though you may even consider what to say to your attorney, because whatever you tell him/her can change the defenses they are allowed to use. They cannot put you on the stand if they know you are going to lie, that's called suborning perjury. You can also talk to your legal spouse because what you say to them is also covered by spousal privilege, though it depends on your specific state to see how much that covers. Some spouses are allowed to testify against their spouse if they want to.

But the general message Rew is bringing up is be careful with what you say pretty much at all times. Letters get read, emails get read, what you say may be recorded. Just assume that it is and go from there.
ksteeler
ksteeler
Harpssong, it was. I'd never experienced the legal system before this event, and there are certainly things I'd do differently now! It's very disillusioning.