Ok, so here is my story.

Last December I got caught shoplifting. They arrested me, took me to jail for a few hours and let me go. I went to court for it finally at the beginning of this month. When I went to court they just gave me another court date, they told me I was approved for a public defender, and I need to have a live jury or something like that. I am broke and pregnant so I cannot afford a lawyer. I had received a letter from the court telling me the name of the office to call so I can get ahold of a p.d. I called there and was told to send them an email with all of my information. I did that. Then 3 days later I got a response saying I had to mail in a letter with all my info. I did that. And got no response. I called them a few times. Each time someone told me that someone in the office will call me back. And they never do. I have no idea where the office is or I would go down there. I just don't know what to do at this point.

If I cannot get ahold of a p.d will this affect the outcome of my case?
Does this kind of thing always happen?
Is it necessary that I need one there?

Yes,you should never go to court without a lawyer.

Law is complicated and the judge cannot help you in the courtroom.

He is there to make judgment based on your defense.

PD's are very busy and it is often very difficult to get in touch with them.

Call your county courthouse and see if they can guide you in the right direction.

Try contacting the public defender's office and ask them just who was assigned to your case. If possible go down to their office and sit there until they tell you just who has been assigned to your case and them make an appointment to see that individual through his secretary. Sometimes emails get lost. Sometimes letters get lot with information in them. Going in person is the best way to clear up this situation. Just calling them is only going to get you the runaround though if you do call them versus go in person.