I have a court date in a few weeks, and since I can't afford a lawyer I'm requesting a public defender. I have heard mixed opinions from many different people about their effectiveness in the court room. I'm assuming they very, but in general are the as helpful as a lawyer. The crime in question was a DUI. Would appreciate answers to my questions not comments chastising me. ( my life is bad enough as it is). Thank you.

Some public defenders are better than others. But in your case it's rather simple. Either you were driving while intoxicated or you weren't. If you were, then you can expect the usual fine, probation, court ordered AA meetings, etc. There is not much leeway in a DUI case.

Ok, first a public defender is a lawyer. And with any, public or private, some are good, some are great and some are not worth their parking permit

I know one DUI attorney in Atlanta, he has never lost a case, gotten everyone off, ** now it starts at 5000 just to get him to the first court hearing.

The things with a DUI, normally the PD will just see if you want to make a deal for some reduced sentence.

The only things you can really do or challenge

1. the reason for the organial stop by the officer

2. was the officer qualified in DUI stops

3. what sort of test did they do, was there a breath test at the station

Beyond that there are other little issues