[bawolff]

There is a difference between criminal law and civil law

If the state wants to throw you in jail, you get a free lawyer.

If some random person alleges you harmed them snd they want you to stop and reimburse them for the harm you caused them, you pay for a lawyer

Ianal

[f2000]

re: "free lawyer" - many times you get what you paid for. Hence people with incompetent representation (purposefully or otherwise) ending up with bad plea deals and/or lengthy sentences.