I did read your comments about public defenders; your comment rambled a bit.  Yes, some lawyers do take a number of 'pro bono' cases per year, and if you are lucky, or have an interesting case, you may qualify.   I don't consider taxes 'reaching into my pocket' to give money to someone else.  I get a lot of benefit from my taxes, part of which go to support the infrastructure you also depend on, and a 'public defender' if you should need one.