The short version
- Public defenders are real lawyers, often very good ones — the constraint is caseload, not competence.
- One estimate: as of 2019, 81% of Texans charged with a crime needed a public defender (Restoring Justice — an organization not affiliated with Dalworth Legal or the State Bar of Texas).
- Private counsel buys a small, selective caseload: every frame of footage, every page of police reports.
- Our fees are a published two-part flat fee — pre-trial, plus a trial fee only if you want your day in court.
Let’s start with what other firms won’t say: public defenders are not only real lawyers, they are often very good lawyers — and that’s written with all sincerity. Many of them try more cases in a year than some private attorneys try in a career.
So why is everyone frustrated with them?
Time. Public defenders generally can’t refuse a case once a court assigns it, and a lot of Texans are relying on them. Restoring Justice — an organization not affiliated with Dalworth Legal, PLLC, or the State Bar of Texas — estimated that as of 2019, 81% of Texans charged with a crime needed a public defender. The dissatisfaction people describe usually isn’t about the lawyer’s skill; it’s that the lawyer simply doesn’t have as many hours for each client as either of them would like.
What private counsel actually buys
That’s also why hiring a private attorney can feel expensive: a few thousand dollars is a lot of money. What it buys is membership in a small, selective caseload — an attorney who can take the time to go over every frame of footage, every page of police reports, and all the other evidence to make sure your rights are protected and a fair sentence is handed down.
It also means an attorney who will take the time to talk with you when you’re scared or angry about how the justice system is treating you — and who understands the value you put on your freedom, and will help the court and prosecutor understand it too.
How our fees work
All criminal defense at Dalworth Legal is handled on a two-part flat fee, published for every offense level. The pre-trial fee covers investigation, discovery review, and negotiating with the county or district attorney. The separate trial fee applies only if we can’t reach an agreement you’re satisfied with and you’d rather present your case to the judge or jury. No hourly meter, no surprises.
How long your case will take
Location matters (big-city counties tend to move faster than rural ones), as do the severity of the offense and what plea deals the State offers. Generally: three to six months for a misdemeanor, and up to two or three years for a felony — though most cases resolve within a year.
If you’re weighing your options right now, send us the basics — the initial phone consultation is free either way.
This article is for general information only. It does not guarantee a particular result in any given case and is not intended to create an attorney-client relationship. Dalworth Legal always advises talking to an attorney about your unique situation before moving forward in a lawsuit.
Questions about your situation?
Every case starts with a free phone consultation — and our fees are published before you ever pick up the phone.