One question I suspect most defendants to a criminal charge ponder not long after arrest is 'do I need a private defense attorney?' The truthful answer is MAYBE. The answer is truthful because there are other valid options, and each defendant is different, as is the challenge they face. The options are going it alone as a pro se defendant, and defending yourself; using a public defender; or of course hiring me or another attorney to advise and lead the way through the proce