Top Ten Public Defender Myths
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| MYTH: |
Public Defenders are overworked and inexperienced.
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| REALITY: |
Highly skilled attorneys often choose to become public defenders because they can specialize in criminal law and devote a great deal of time to practicing their profession in the courtroom. Public Defender Services provides their attorneys with specialized training and educational opportunities on criminal law each year, including a 12 month revolving curriculum on all aspects of criminal practice and trial advocacy for newly hired attorneys.
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| MYTH: |
Public defenders will do anything to get their clients off.
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| REALITY: |
Public defenders are entrusted with ensuring that a defendant's rights are protected throughout the court proceedings. Part of the job of the public defender is to assist the client in addressing problems that contribute to their arrest. By providing these intervention services, public defenders reduce the likelihood that clients will offend again.
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| MYTH: |
Public defenders don't care what happens to their clients because they get paid anyway.
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| REALITY: |
Public defenders are highly respected within the legal profession for their expertise in criminal law. Public defenders are selected because of their commitment to protect the rights of indigent persons. Their efforts and resources are not limited by their clients' ability to pay. They are in court representing their clients "on the line" every day and have a specialized knowledge of the criminal court process.
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| MYTH: |
Public defenders are not real lawyers.
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| REALITY: |
Public defenders are fully qualified attorneys who have graduated from Connecticut's law schools as well as from other prestigious law schools throughout the country.
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| MYTH: |
Public defenders stay in their position only long enough to get higher paying jobs in private practice.
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| REALITY: |
The average length of service of a public defender within the Division is over ten years. Many highly respected public defenders have served far longer.
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| MYTH: |
Public defenders offices cannot compete with the technology of private law firms.
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| REALITY: |
Public defender offices are fully computerized and equipped with the most-up-to-date legal research software and publications necessary to effectively represent their clients.
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| MYTH: |
Public defenders have no time for their cases.
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| REALITY: |
For a number of years, public defenders managed very large caseloads, often at great personal sacrifice. In 1999 the Public Defender Services Commission established goals for limiting caseloads to reflect the Commission's commitment to providing quality legal assistance and services to Connecticut's citizens.
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| MYTH: |
Public defenders don't care about victims.
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| REALITY: |
Public defenders staff undertake efforts to speak with victims of crime and to promote a better understanding with victims and the organizations that serve them. Public defender staff participate in meetings and conferences sponsored by victims groups throughout the state.
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| MYTH: |
Public defenders work for judges and prosecutors.
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| REALITY: |
Public defenders adhere to very strict rules of professional responsibility. A public defender's first duty is to loyally and zealously represent their clients. Public defenders are appointed, not elected, by an independent, bi-partisan commission charged with the responsibility for hiring the most qualified and dedicated criminal defense attorneys available.
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| MYTH: |
Public defenders do not have adequate resources.
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| REALITY: |
A full team of investigators and social workers is on site in each of the 40 public defender offices throughout the state. Resources are available to pay for expert witnesses whenever required. There are specialized units responsible for juvenile matters, death penalty cases, appeals of convictions following trial, and persons with mental illness.
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