Many people are unaware of what the difference between a private criminal lawyer and a public attorney is. The explanation is rather straightforward. A public defender is the legal representation that is provided to a person who is unable to afford one. The public defender is thus charged to protect the interests of the clients while being paid by the government. But before a public defender is awarded to the accused individual, an eligibility test is carried out involving an assessment of a person’s assets and income. Although public lawyers come freely, many people question the devotion and dedication that a client will get from such representation.

Public defenders are very effective as criminal lawyers. Like most lawyers they handle a wide range of cases during the day. Again, just like most attorneys, they tend to specialize in different areas. Some choose to specialize in attending to personal injury cases or they may opt instead to focus on drunk driving charges as found with DUI lawyers. Because of their close and frequent relationship with the court rooms, most public defenders develop an understanding and decent rapport with the local court and judges. This can be of great benefit to their clients.

However, despite all these benefits, hiring a private attorney is still a far better idea if this option is within a person’s ability. Private attorneys are far more likely to work harder at providing you with a credible defense. Although they are undoubtedly more expensive than publicly appointed representation, most people who hire private attorneys find that they end up having lighter fines or shorter jail sentences. This is because of the increased effort put into a person’s by private attorneys.

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While much of the talk about the city declaring bankruptcy has faded, at least one downtown law firm continues to look at it as a potential source of business.

Latham and Watkins, one of the premier firms in the region, has prepared a 46-page Power Point presentation outlining the possibilities and limits of a city going bankrupt and citing examples of jurisdictions that have gone into and come out of bankruptcy.

Attorneys with the firm met last week with Controller Wendy Greuel. She said she had not requested the meeting and had no comments about what was told her.

The firm’s paper details the legal requirements and what can or cannot be accomplished under bankruptcy.

However, missing from the presentation was the most important point to elected officials – the political fallout.

In nearly all cases where a jurisdiction has declared bankruptcy, its politicians have been voted out of office in the next election.

For some Los Angeles city officials, the troubled transition to Google’s Gmail has not been worth the cost.

With several officials threatening to withhold their support for the complete transition to the system, a number of Google competitors are salivating at the prospect of taking over the Los Angeles city e-mail system.

It is expected to come to a head this week, when the full City Council gets a report on whether Google is willing to pick up what could be hundreds of thousands in extra costs incurred when the city was unable to transfer over completely to Gmail.

Councilmen Paul Koretz, Bernard Parks and Dennis Zine said they will oppose any further dealings with Google unless it picks up the costs associated with running two e-mail systems.

“If this was a car, the company would have given us a warranty and fixed it,” Zine said. “We haven’t even driven this off the lot and it’s broken down and I am not hearing they will help.”

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The year is half over, so I thought I’d check in and see where I’m at with the goals I set just over six months ago. On the running front, I’m pretty sure I haven’t run 950 miles, thanks to the issues I had during February and March. But, I’m pleased with the results of the recent half-marathon, and I’m still on track for a decent marathon in September, so I’m okay with that. Have I had a real vacation? Ha, not even close. I’ve had a couple weekends away, which I’m pretty sure don’t count. However, there’s the potential for a trip to Greece on the horizon, which would not only be relaxing in and of itself, but would also give me the chance to spend some time with one of my favorite dads and his two beautiful kids, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed there. Um, I probably haven’t eaten enough cheesecake this year, in fact, I can only think of one occasion where I have, but I’m pretty sure I’ve been consuming enough other carbs to make up for it. My new mantra — wanna run fast? must eat carbs — seems to be working well. BUT, I’m still not pregnant, so that goal has the potential to be carried out this year! Okay, I know I could still get pregnant, but since it’s July and I’m not actively working on it, I think I could well make it through the year without it happening (now my phone will ring and I’ll be told that someone wants another kid lol).

Goals for 2010.5? I’m aiming for a sub-3:30 marathon — I’m planning on running two in the fall, within three weeks of each other, and I hope I don’t kill myself trying to do it. The first is local, and I’m running with a friend who’s training for her first (and by her word, her last), and I think I’ll be happy to get her to her 3:40 goal, I don’t think I’m really going to push myself all out in that one. The second is semi-local, not too far from here, and is supposed to be a fun race, but I’ll be running that one solo, so hopefully I can make it through and make my 3:30 goal. My body seems to be holding up fairly well, but for some issues with my left calf.

On the job front, I’m not holding my breath for a new job by the end of the year, more I’m just taking things as they come. Work is going to get more stressful before it gets easier, but right now I feel like I’m in a place where I just need to chill out, and let the cards fall as they may. I’m keeping my eyes open, but feeling less frantic about things. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still not thrilled living here, but I need to stay focused on other things (like work) right now.

And I’m half-inclined to swear off dysfunctional men for good, but since those seem to be the only ones I’m attracted to, it would make for a lonely existence, so instead I think I’ll vow to keep them at arm’s length.

Thousands of boozy Ontario drivers will be able to avoid trials and help clear court backlogs by admitting guilt starting in 10 days.

The new system, including installation of a monitoring devices that can disable a auto if alcohol is detected, was welcomed Saturday by the CEO of Mother’s Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and a Toronto cop.

With about 4,000 backlogged cases before the city’s courts, MADD’s Andrew Murie said letting first offenders not involved in a crash or reckless driving plead guilty, pay fines and drive again after a three-month suspension “is a good compromise.”

Critics, including some police officers, fear letting even low-end offenders loose — even with auto-disabling Ignition Interlock devices — sends the wrong message in the battle against drinking and driving.

“I don’t agree,” Murie told the Sun.

“Some people think punishment is the only solution,” he said. “We believe in rehabilitation.

“The Interlock is a good tool … it focuses on education,” Murie said.

“There’s a whole backlog of cases to be heard and this will help,” he added.

The veteran Toronto officer said many impaired drivers brought into stations don’t have records and are good risks, compared to “hard-core repeat offenders.”

To qualify for speedier clearances, which the officer said take effect Monday, Aug. 3, accused impaired drivers must agree to a slew of conditions: Pleading guilty within 30 days, agreeing to an electronic breath-monitoring Interlock at the end of their three-month suspension, plus paying $1,200 for the device and $200 monthly monitoring fees.

“Some consideration will be given to those who are already in the system,” he added.

Fines vary depending on circumstances and impairment levels, with additional penalties if a driver is caught breaching court orders.

The officer said the device triggers lights and horns to alert passersby and police if it detects alcohol — disabling the ignition for a high level. Since a blood-alcohol level may be declining, the engine may turn over when a driver tries again 15 minutes later.

On its website, the transportation ministry says about 80% of the 13,000 drunk drivers convicted annually in Ontario are “first-time offenders.”