[klyrs]

>If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be appointed for you before any questioning if you wish.

Public defenders are notoriously overworked, and are often only allowed a few minutes per case. This is one of many aspects of the justice system that is completely eroded and disproportionately fails the poor.

http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/this-public-defender-...

[gamblor956]

When I worked as a public defender (in CA) we were winning roughly 2/3rds of our cases...the same as the private defense bar managed.. and securing much better plea deals than private counsel could, since the DAs were more inclined to negotiate with people they had to see every day.