Yes, an attorney in the Public Defender’s office is just as good as a private attorney.  We have an excellent Public Defender’s office in Guilford County.  They are some of the hardest working attorneys around, especially in light of their massive case load.  They operate under the same ethical duty as every other attorney, which is to zealously represent the legal interest of their clients.  If there are any differences in having a private attorney represent you, it may be the luxury of spending more time with each client discussing the facts of the case and options available.  We try to provide that extra one-on-one contact to help guide you through the process.