Washington, D.C. criminal defense lawyer Nabeel Kibria talks about how to afford to hire a lawyer to defend you. He shares that the law firm, Irvin Kibria Law, was founded on the belief that the justice system should not be accessible only to the wealthy or privileged. Justice, and the attorneys who help clients navigate legal matters, should be affordable. Still, he acknowledges that some individuals may not be able to afford private counsel. In those situations, the criminal justice system in America does provide public defenders. However, he cautions that there are many pitfalls in relying on a public defender instead of hiring a private attorney.

He emphasizes that seeking private counsel is always the better option. If someone cannot immediately afford it, he suggests speaking with an attorney, such as himself, to explore possible payment plans. If that is not possible, he advises turning to family or friends for help, or even considering a loan from a bank. Because facing a legal matter is a serious, sometimes life-altering situation, he stresses that it is worth finding a way to secure strong representation. He notes that attorneys and their firms can sometimes provide flexible options, which is why it is always important to ask—and why he strongly recommends hiring private counsel.