what has been your experience w. lawyers and probono lawyers

[myprecioushismami]

Hi
Idont know if this should be posted here but here it goes. I am in the process of trying to get a lawyer for my bf wether it will be a criminal defense probono or not. I wanted to know what has been your experience with either having probono or paying for one. and if you paid for one how much did it cost? I am aware that every case is different but I just thought Id start by asking here. Iv looked at the legal part of this website but its all very confusing. so for now I just want to know about the experience and to know what would be better paying for one or getting a probono.
Thank you!

[Nemdf]

I am sure it varies a lot depending on the charges and circumstances, but we paid $50,000 for an attorney in 1988 and our LO got 80 years in a plea deal.

[myprecioushismami]

wow! that is alot of money and alot of years. My bf's public defender told him his case carries 20-40yrs. His charge is carjacking w unlawful use of a weapon and this would be his second time in jail. I believe when he had his evidence court no evidence was found. Only that he was wearing a specific sweater. so i think that would be eye witness?

I am sure it varies a lot depending on the charges and circumstances, but we paid $50,000 for an attorney in 1988 and our LO got 80 years in a plea deal.

[Dazzler]

I hope you aren't confusing a pro bono lawyer with a public defender...although PD's work for free they aren't what is usually referred to as a pro bono attorney.  A pro bono is usually a private attorney appointed by a court or a reputable law firm that does a % of cases for free as charity.  I wouldn't trust a trial court PD for anything....PD stands for prison deliverer....our lawyers here are from the appellate level and are very good at winning post conviction cases, but that's at a different level than the original trial court. 

You have to obtain the best possible defense lawyer you can get or afford at the trial level....it's called not letting the horse out of the barn....if there's a conviction it's 100 times harder to get it reversed....you have to stop the charge at the trial court level....and public defenders, even felony PD's, just don't have the time to devote to a serious case....and often they don't possess the skills required....

[veracity]

2 trials and 1 appeal $78,000
 1 aquittal and 1 conviction
 No evidence needed
A bad story told by a good liar is all it takes

Negoitate the best plea you can and get it in writing

Good luck cause God knows you need it once you're in their sights.

[Skully]

public defender my ass... More like public pretender! I would not advise ANYBODY to face charges without a "real" lawyer... Especially something serious!

[Steadfast]

Dazzler is right.  Get the best criminal defense lawyer you can afford.  We spent $40,000 defending my L/O and it was money well spent.  If money is really tight, you might try one of the larger firms in Chicago, as they might be more likely to have someone willing to work pro bono.  Good luck.

[pomkinf]

Well we paid 30 grand. He was charged w a class 1 and a class 2. 4-22 years. And he,was giving 15 years. The cost of the lawyer does not show their success rate. I have a friend who had exact same charges w second offense he had a PD and he got 6 years plus day for day...my LO got 85%.  Do a lot of research...i wish had done that. And maybe we wouldnt have to be figuring out where we are going to come up w probably another 30 grand!