colorado lawyerA Colorado Lawyer may be assigned as a public defender to represent, without charge, at the request of a defendant, or by order of the court with the consent of the defendant, each indigent defendant who is charged with a crime in county or counties in which such Colorado lawyer serves.

When representing an indigent defendant, the public defender shall counsel and represent him at every stage of the proceedings following arrest, shall initiate such proceedings as in his judgment are necessary to protect the rights of the accused, and may, in his discretion, prosecute any appeal, if in his judgment the facts and circumstances warrant such appeal.

The public defender shall also represent, without charge, in a proceeding in family court or surrogate’s court in the county or counties where such public defender serves, any person entitled to counsel in the family court act who is financially unable to obtain counsel. When representing such person, the public defender shall counsel and represent him at every stage of the proceedings, shall initiate such proceedings as in the judgment of the public defender are necessary to protect the rights of such person, and may prosecute any appeal when, in his judgment the facts and circumstances warrant such appeal.

In a civil suit, the general rule is that you do not have a “right” to an appointed lawyer. Therefore, if you have a case other than a criminal case you need to obtain a lawyer of your choice.

There are cases that a private attorney will handle without charging you a fee for his services. These are cases in which the attorney believes that fees can be obtained from the other party to the lawsuit. This arrangement is known as a “contingent fee” and does not depend on your ability to pay. In addition, a Colorado lawyer may arrange for fees to be paid over an extended period of time.

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