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    Re: Public Defender Work

    Posted by P.Def. on 11/16/06

    Thanks for the input, and I apologize to readers other than Bryan
    for sinking to his level. It's frustrating to see so much negativity
    on this board, which I read but have not until now posted.

    In my area, it's difficult to get on the p.d. list, no matter how
    many times you're in court. A reason not to give it up. My other
    work has not come from being on the list - in fact, being on the
    list has hurt, because I am not so accessable to my other business
    sources when I am in court.

    Sometimes I look at being on the criminal list as having a low-
    interest but fixed investment in a retirement portfolio - something
    that will always make some money, but never a lot of money. The
    question I am struggling with is whether this is worth it.

    On 11/16/06, Carol wrote:
    > On 11/16/06, P.Def. wrote:
    >> Brian = fool.
    >>
    >>
    >> On 11/16/06, Brian wrote:
    >>> What kind of work does the typcical PD do? Defend people who
    >>> urinate in public and who cause disturbances in trailer
    >>> parks? Sounds like you are just tired of the work, and
    >>> nothing more. If your private side was doing so well, you
    >>> wouldnt even be asking the question.
    >>>
    >>> On 11/16/06, Rob wrote:
    >>>> Have you considered the fact that the reason your caseload
    >>>> has increased so much is the exposure you receive from doing
    >>>> the PD work? Maybe you can do conflict work. I am on
    >>>> the conflict attorney panel for my local IDB office, and
    >>>> while the pay is a lot less, I still get the same exposure,
    >>>> and do not spend as much time handling the IDB work.
    >>>>
    >>>> On 11/15/06, P.Def. wrote:
    >>>>> Looking for some advice.
    >>>>>
    >>>>> I have been a solo for a few years. I was mainly doing
    >>>>> public defender work, for o.k. but not a lot of pay. Now,
    >>>>> my non-criminal private practice has grown significantly
    >>>>> to a point where I can make it without the public defender
    >>>>> work. I am considering resigning from the p.d. list. On
    >>>>> the pro side, the public defender work is costing me money
    >>>>> right now, because the time I am spending in court could
    >>>>> be spent on higher-paying matters (not to mention the time
    >>>>> I spend keeping current with criminal law). On the other
    >>>>> hand, it's nice to keep it as a safety valve, in case my
    >>>>> other work dries up. Staying on the list and not taking
    >>>>> cases does not seem to be an option - I was told that
    >>>>> refusing cases for two sessions in a row is grounds for
    >>>>> removal from the list.
    >>>>>
    >>>>> Opinions???
    > Hmmm. if you don't have time to do the PD work anymore, have you
    > considered just accepting an occasional private pay criminal
    > client and devoting more time to the more lucrative areas of your
    > practice? You keep up with the law and keep your hand in it
    > without it consuming you. In my area if you're in criminal court
    > a lot you're automatically on the list, it's considered a duty as
    > a bar member. but a couple of attorneys only take a very
    > occasional criminal case so they aren't on the list.

    Posts on this thread, including this one
  • Public Defender Work, 11/15/06, by P.Def..
  • Re: Public Defender Work, 11/16/06, by Rob.
  • Re: Public Defender Work, 11/16/06, by Brian .
  • Re: Public Defender Work, 11/16/06, by P.Def..
  • Re: Public Defender Work, 11/16/06, by Carol.
  • Re: Public Defender Work PS , 11/16/06, by Carol.
  • Re: Public Defender Work PS , 11/16/06, by Carol.
  • Re: Public Defender Work, 11/16/06, by P.Def..
  • Re: Public Defender Work, 11/16/06, by Carol.
  • Re: Public Defender Work, 11/16/06, by Brian.
  • Re: Public Defender Work, 11/16/06, by Brian.
  • Re: Public Defender Work, 11/17/06, by Carol.
  • Re: Public Defender Work, 11/18/06, by Brian.
  • Re: Public Defender Work, 11/18/06, by P.Def..
  • Re: Public Defender Work, 11/25/06, by Mr. Blue.
  • Re: Public Defender Work, 11/25/06, by Jenkins.


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