[cgriswald]

Public defenders are at least politically and professionally incentivized to win cases even if they are not provided the resources to do so. In my county, the appointed defender is private and is paid per case. He is strongly incentivized to take as many cases as possible and spend as little time as possible actually defending people. "Take the plea deal" might be the best advice, but only because the system is rigged against the defendant. You don't have to be poor or indigent, either. The middle class are also in danger and even if they win their case their lives are often ruined and they experience significant financial hardships.