When you canamp;#39;t afford a lawyer and the state appoints you one. Does it limit when you can speak? -

I was curious. My friend has a court date, and when she got arrested, they appointed her a lawyer. She has his name and card. She s yet to call him, is he her lawyer? Can she speak to him. Or does she have to pay him, for anything other than showing up on her appointed court date? This is in New York State. Thanks!

Yes, public defender is her lawyer. Yes, she can speak to him, so make an appointment. No, she does NOT have to pay him. All lawyers on the bar are required to work SOME hours as public defenders. Some may even drag in some law school interns to help with the paperwork.

Any appointed official like such is just like a lawyer you d buy. Call him up!

Sounds like she got a public defender - should say his office under his name - Public Defenders Office? A call to him to ask is appropriate.