Call for Consultation (337) 366-8994
Call for Consultation (337) 366-8994
When you face criminal charges in Louisiana, the stakes are high. The decision you make about your legal representation could have an impact on the outcome of your case and your future.
Louisiana offers two primary options for legal defense: public defenders and private criminal defense lawyers. Public defenders are court-appointed lawyers provided to individuals who cannot afford private representation. They are essential to ensuring fair trials but often face challenges with resources and time constraints.
Private criminal defense lawyers provide a level of expertise, attention, and resources that can make a difference in the outcome of your case. With a private lawyer, you receive personalized service and a tailored defense strategy designed specifically for your circumstances.
At the Ikerd Law Firm, we focus on protecting your rights, providing skilled representation, and fighting for the best possible results in your case.
Contact us today to learn how we can assist you.
Public defenders in Louisiana handle an overwhelming number of cases. This is one of the challenges of relying on court-appointed counsel.
Many public defenders are assigned dozens of cases at a time, leaving them with limited hours to devote to each individual client.
For example, a public defender may juggle several DUI cases, drug charges, and probation violations in a single week. This can result in quick meetings with clients, rushed court appearances, and less time for thorough case preparation.
When your attorney does not have the time to explore all the facts of your case or plan, the risk of unfavorable outcomes increases. Complex cases that need extensive investigation or legal argumentation may not receive the attention they deserve.
The sheer volume of cases often prevents public defenders from conducting comprehensive investigations.
Tasks such as gathering witness statements, consulting forensic experts, and analyzing evidence may be overlooked.
This lack of preparation can be especially damaging in cases involving:
When evidence is not scrutinized and legal strategies are not tailored to the specifics of your case, it is harder to achieve the best possible outcome.
Private criminal defense lawyers dedicate their careers to mastering the complexities of criminal law. This gives them more advantage over generalist attorneys or overburdened public defenders.
Chad Ikerd and the Ikerd Law Firm specialize in serious felony offenses and OWI/DUI defense. Chad takes it upon himself to constantly learn more about ways to defend these types of cases.
He became a member of the National College of DUI Defense, which focuses exclusively on information and training for attorneys doing alcohol-related driving defense cases. Chad pays a lot of money out of his own pocket each year to attend conferences to learn cutting-edge legal and scientific information to help his clients. These are the kinds of resources typically unavailable to attorneys in the public defense system.
Private lawyers are typically well-versed in Louisiana’s unique legal system, which includes specific statutes, court rules, and sentencing guidelines. They also have valuable experience dealing with local judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement.
For example:
This expertise ensures that private attorneys are better equipped to expect the prosecution’s tactics and counter them.
Unlike public defenders, who often rely on standard procedures due to time constraints, private lawyers develop personalized strategies for each client. At the Ikerd Law Firm, we strive to provide a more bespoke experience. Our “team” works with you to feel comfortable about the case and the process, and help you make the best decision about your future.
At the end of the day, what you should be “buying,” when hiring a private attorney, is their “time.” This means, you should get, and should insist on, meetings with your attorney prior to court. Oftentimes, as a public defender, while Chad Ikerd would always try to reach out to his clients before the court, the client would not respond. This may have been because the client did not pay for the services and did not have a high expectation for a service they did not pay for.
Realistically, some attorneys working in the public defenders’ offices simply do not make the effort to talk to clients before the court. This causes serious problems with resolving cases in the client’s favor.
Often, because someone hiring a private attorney will seek out their representation early in the process, the attorney has time to meet with the client BEFORE court.
This is important because it allows the attorney to assess the case, find out who the prosecutor is, use their knowledge of the prosecutor’s prior cases to develop a strategy, and then work with the client before the court to resolve the case in the most favorable terms. Waiting until court to meet the client and negotiate the case is a recipe for a bad outcome!
For instance:
This level of customization gives you the best chance of reducing charges, avoiding conviction, or minimizing penalties.
Private lawyers focus on client communication and often schedule regular meetings to discuss case updates and legal strategies.
Defendants with private lawyers should expect:
Private attorneys are able to run their businesses while representing fewer clients. Thus, there is more time to dedicate to the individual clients. At the Ikerd Law Firm, we also have support staff, including our superb case manager, who provides extra access to the office and information.
In contrast, public defenders often struggle to find time to communicate with their clients due to their heavy workloads.
Many attorneys leave their positions for higher-paying roles or due to the strain of managing excessive caseloads.
Currently, this is one of the worst problems in the public defense system. It is not unusual for someone to go through three or four attorneys appointed through the Public Defender Office before resolving the case.
Each change in attorney causes a delay in the case. If you or your loved one is in jail, this causes a double injury to your freedom and constitutional rights. Changing representation mid-case can disrupt the defense process and hinder progress.
Private lawyers have the resources to provide individualized attention. They use paralegals, assistants, and investigators to ensure every aspect of your case is addressed.
This dedicated approach allows for:
Private criminal defense lawyers can hire experts to strengthen your case.
These may include:
While the cost of these experts is usually covered by the client, their contribution can be invaluable in achieving a favorable outcome.
Private lawyers have access to advanced legal tools, including:
These resources enable private attorneys to build comprehensive and persuasive defenses.
When you hire a private lawyer, you have the freedom to choose someone whose experience, communication style, and approach align with your needs. Public defenders are court-appointed, leaving you with no input on who represents you.
A private lawyer is your best bet for complex or high-stakes cases where trust and collaboration between you and your lawyer are critical.
Private lawyers charge fees, but many offer flexible payment options to accommodate different financial situations. Payment plans, flat rates, or hourly billing can make quality representation more accessible.
Private lawyers often advise clients on long-term legal strategies.
This includes:
Private attorneys are more likely to achieve favorable outcomes due to their focus, expertise, and resources. Their goal is to secure dismissals, reduced charges, or alternative sentencing options whenever possible.
Private lawyers have the time to negotiate with prosecutors, potentially securing reduced charges that carry lighter penalties or alternative sentences (probation or community service).
If your case goes to trial, having a private attorney with courtroom experience can make a difference. Private lawyers invest the time necessary to prepare compelling arguments, cross-examine witnesses, and present evidence.
Hiring a private lawyer is an investment in your future. While there are upfront costs, the benefits—such as avoiding jail time, reducing penalties, or clearing your record—far outweigh the expense.
A criminal conviction can have long-term consequences for your career, reputation, and personal life. Private legal representation ensures that every effort is made to protect these critical aspects of your life.
Many private lawyers offer payment plans to make their services more affordable. Discussing financial arrangements during your consultation can help you access the defense you need.
When it comes to defending your future, hiring a private Louisiana criminal defense lawyer provides many advantages.
Chad Ikerd worked for the Public Defender’s Office for over a decade. He cherished his time working for the indigent, people who did not have the financial resources to afford the quality of care he strove to provide.
As a supervisor in the 15th Judicial District (Lafayette, Acadia, and Vermilion Parishes), Chad sought to train the next generation of public defense attorneys to take the same pride and strive for excellence in the job. Thus, Chad will never bad-mouth public defenders.
However, after years of seeing policymakers cut funding for the public defense system, which caused fewer qualified attorneys to want to work for the indigent due to lower pay and increased caseloads, Chad Ikerd left the trial-level public defense system.
Now, with fewer clients, he and the Ikerd Law Firm can provide the same high-quality, client-centered representation without the crushing caseloads.
Our clients now, however, get to benefit from the nearly decade and a half of experience and stellar reputation for competency and toughness Chad Ikerd earned in South Louisiana. We are here to put that experience to work for you!
Don’t leave your future to chance. Contact the Ikerd Law Firm today for a consultation and learn how we can help you fight your charges and secure the best possible outcome. Call now to take the first step.
