how to find out who my court appointed lawyer is while in jail

You will need to contact the court clerk on Monday and ask if they can tell you the name of the appointed attorney. Probably nothing you can do till then. Your b/f should have spoken to an attorney when he was in court.

Full Answer

How do I find out if someone is in jail?

Dec 20, 2014 · Go to "Criminal Records", and then look the case up under his name. If he's been in that long, he should definitely have been appointed an attorney (unless he waived one because he wanted to hire his own), and the attorney's name and contact information will appear at the top right corner of the page that has the rest of the case information.

Do you have to pay for a court appointed Attorney?

Aug 09, 2015 · 1 attorney answer. You obviously have computer access. Go online and look up your case. The gist of the order of appointment should be there. Unlikely lawyer will call you. Get yourself an expandable file and keep your papers in it as they come in from now on. If you have a smartphone, get yourself a...

Do I have a say in who my court-appointed Attorney is?

Mar 26, 2019 · A private attorney will likely only be working on a handful of active cases at one time, which means they’ll have plenty of energy and resources to dedicate to your defense. 2) Consistency: A court-appointed attorney may not be your exclusive attorney for the duration of your case. The public defender’s office may choose to send different ...

How do I find a local criminal defense attorney?

Jan 15, 2017 · The second major difference is price. Court-appointed attorneys are not entirely free in most cases, especially if you bond out of jail. The court may order you to pay back the court-appointed attorney fees as a bond condition and as a condition of probation. That fee, however, will be much less than that of a retained attorney.

How much does a court appointed attorney get paid in Texas?

Can I fire my court appointed attorney in Oregon?

Can you be denied a court appointed attorney in Texas?

What is a Marsden hearing?

How do you know if your lawyer is selling you out?

Which type of crime may not afford the defendant the right to a court appointed attorney?

How do you fire a court appointed attorney in Texas?

When a person on the witness stand pleads the Fifth They are asserting their right against self incrimination?

1 attorney answer

You obviously have computer access. Go online and look up your case. The gist of the order of appointment should be there.#N#Unlikely lawyer will call you...

Anthony Bettencourt Cameron

You obviously have computer access. Go online and look up your case. The gist of the order of appointment should be there.#N#Unlikely lawyer will call you...

What Is A Court-Appointed Attorney?

If you’ve been arrested and can’t afford to hire a private criminal defense attorney, the court will assign an attorney to handle your case. These lawyers work in the public defender’s office and are mandated to defend anyone who has been charged with a crime and is not financially able to employ counsel.

Private vs Court-Appointed Attorneys

Before agreeing to work with a public defender, a defendant should be aware of the following differences between a private attorney and one appointed by the court:

Hire Your Own Lawyer Whenever Possible

Unless you simply cannot afford to hire a lawyer, working with a private criminal defense lawyer is always better than accepting a court-appointed attorney.

How to request a court appointed attorney?

To request a court-appointed attorney, you will fill out a financial questionnaire stating that you cannot afford an attorney. The court will take into account your stated ability to pay, the number of dependents you have, as well as other factors such as whether you bonded out, who paid the bond, and the amount of the bond.

Is a court appointed attorney free?

Court-appointed attorneys are not entirely free in most cases, especially if you bond out of jail. The court may order you to pay back the court-appointed attorney fees as a bond condition and as a condition of probation. That fee, however, will be much less than that of a retained attorney. Retained attorneys, on the other hand, vary greatly in ...

What is the difference between a court appointed attorney and a retained attorney?

The first and most important difference is choice. When you retain an attorney, you have the ability to choose and retain the person you believe will be the best criminal defense attorney for your case. It’s a very personal decision.

What happens when you retain a lawyer?

When you retain an attorney, you have the ability to choose and retain the person you believe will be the best criminal defense attorney for your case. It’s a very personal decision. If you are eligible for a court-appointed attorney, you will have no say in who your court-appointed attorney will be. Your lawyer is selected randomly ...

What is an indigent person?

The Fair Defense Act defines an indigent person as any person with a household income at or below the Living Wage Calculator guidelines as established and revised periodically by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and whose liquid assets do not exceed $15,000.

What to do if you are arrested?

If you are arrested or learn you are under investigation, the first thing you should do is contact an experienced criminal defense attorney.

What is the Miranda warning?

This is reflected in the Miranda warning that police must read aloud when arresting someone: You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed.

What happens if a court refuses to appoint a new attorney?

If the court refuses to appoint new counsel and you remain adamant that your lawyer is unacceptable, you could file a complaint with the state bar organization. This complaint would cause an immediate conflict of interest between you and your attorney and would require your attorney to ask the court to appoint a replacement.

What to do if you are dissatisfied with your lawyer?

If you are dissatisfied with your lawyer, your first step should be to raise your concerns in a conversation. If the problem persists and your lawyer is a public defender, you may contact the lawyer’s supervisor. In rare cases, the supervisor may assign a different public defender. This would be done without court intervention.

Is a private attorney better than a public defender?

Although any one lawyer might be better than another, the general assumption that private attorneys are better than public defenders is not true. Consider the following: Most public defenders are committed to the cause of justice and want to help you get the best result possible.

What happens at a court hearing?

At a hearing in which you ask for a new lawyer, the courtroom is typically closed to all but the judge, the defendant, and the appointed lawyer, and the record of the proceeding will be sealed. This means that neither the prosecutor nor the public will have access to a transcript of the proceeding. The defendant presents his grievance, the defendant’s lawyer responds, and the judge normally asks questions to clarify the dispute. The judge will attempt to resolve the disagreement without having to appoint a new lawyer.

What to do if your public defender is not communicating?

If you're claiming your public defender is failing to communicate with you, you'll need detailed support showing a lack of communication over a substantial period. Bring documentation such as records of unreturned phone calls, canceled meetings, or missed jail or prison visits.

Which amendment guarantees the right to legal counsel in all felony cases?

Updated: Dec 15th, 2020. The Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to the assistance of legal counsel in all felony cases. If a person does not have the financial means to hire an attorney, courts will appoint a lawyer free of charge in all cases, including misdemeanors, that have the possibility of incarceration.

How to work things out with your lawyer?

Try to Work Things Out with Your Current Lawyer First#N#Talk to your current lawyer and express your concerns candidly. Give your lawyer a chance to explain their views and the reason for their strategic choices. It is not uncommon for lawyers and clients to think differently about the case. You may be relieved to find out that your lawyer actually is working hard on your behalf. Your lawyer may be able to show you why your proposed approach would actually hurt your chances. If, after discussing the problem with your lawyer, you still have concerns or your lawyer refuses to discuss the issue with you, then take it to the next step.

What is the job of a lawyer?

INVESTIGATION: Lawyer has a responsibility to investigate your case , including interviewing witnesses, examining/testing physical evidence, consulting with appropriate experts, investigating credibility of state's witnesses, finding evidence to support your defense.

How does a Marsden hearing work?

Learn How a Marsden Hearing Works#N#If you want to get rid a bad court-appointed lawyer, all you need to do is ask the court for a Mars den hearing. The court will order the prosecutor, other lawyers, and the public to leave the court room before conducting the hearing. The only people who will remain in court are: your lawyer, the judge, and the court's staff (bailiff, court reporter, and clerk). The judge will ask you to describe the problem between you and your lawyer. The judge will not help you make a compelling argument. (See Steps 7 and 8 to learn how to make the most compelling case.) Once you are through, the judge will turn to your lawyer and ask the lawyer to respond. The judge will then rule on your motion. If the judge grants it, your lawyer will be taken off the case and you will be assigned a new lawyer. If the judge denies your request, you will be stuck with your lawyer. The court will order the record sealed and will allow others to come back into the court.

What are the things that won't get you a new lawyer?

A personality clash will not get you a new lawyer. A preference for a male or female, or an attorney of a certain race will not get you a new lawyer. Even if you and your attorney disagree on case strategy, that will probably not be enough to get you a new attorney. The reason for that is simple: the court deems your lawyer to be the expert about how best to protect your interest. The court will not treat you as if you are co-counsel with an equal voice on strategic calls. Your lawyer is responsible for making the strategic decision in the case. The decision to plead guilty, to testify or not, or to have (or waive) a jury trial are your decisions to make. Most everything else is left to your attorney to decide.

What are the problems with getting a lawyer?

Understand Which Kind of Problems are Most Likely to Get You a New Lawyer#N#Three areas of concern: 1) significant breakdown in communication, 2) failure to investigate, 3) failure to file meritorious motions to exclude damaging evidence. COMMUNICATION: If there is an "irrevocable breakdown" (cannot be fixed) in atty/client relationship, you would be entitled to a new lawyer, so long as you did not cause it. Examples: persistent refusal to take your calls or to let you explain facts critical to your defense, won't explain strategic decisions or seek input, relationship has deteriorated so that the two of you cannot effectively communicate. INVESTIGATION: Lawyer has a responsibility to investigate your case, including interviewing witnesses, examining/testing physical evidence, consulting with appropriate experts, investigating credibility of state's witnesses, finding evidence to support your defense. SUPPRESSION MOTIONS: Lawyer must protect your rights and seek exclusion of damaging evidence unless there is a good strategic reason to fore go the motion.

What are the risks of a Marsden hearing?

Understand the Risks of Having a Marsden Hearing#N#There are many risks that you should consider before going forward. First, you are likely to lose - mostly because defendants are not usually well-prepared when describing the problems, lawyers are more experienced and know what to say to defend themselves, and the court may prefer to encourage you two to work your problems out. Second, if you lose, you are stuck with the same lawyer you've just publicly embarrassed. If you have a bad lawyer, they may be even more un likely to work hard on your behalf. (Note: If you have a decent lawyer whom you've misjudge, s/he will not hold a grudge. Good court-appointed lawyers understand that dealing with client frustrations are a part of the job.) Third - and, I think, the biggest risk - you may say something that would hurt your case in the future or eliminate defenses if your case goes to trial. See Step 9 for how to avoid hurting your case.

Find Inmate Court Appearance Dates Online

Much public information about inmates is now freely available online on department of corrections, court, or county websites. You can find links to many state resources for finding prisoner information on The Inmate Locator website. The federal Bureau of Prisons website provides a database of federal inmate information.

Finding Court Appearance Information Offline

If the inmate is housed in a correctional facility that does not provide a searchable online database, or the records you found did not include a next court date, you will have to resort to "old-school" methods such as these: