The court has asked you to name a defense lawyer – or has indicated that one will be appointed for you? Act quickly: if you do not name a lawyer yourself, the court will appoint one whose competence and commitment you cannot assess. You have the right to choose. Attorney Philip Bafteh accepts court appointments in Bonn and the surrounding region.
What a court-appointed defense lawyer is
In cases of mandatory defense (notwendige Verteidigung, Section 140 StPO), German law requires that the accused has a defense lawyer – for example when the case is heard by the regional court, when a crime (Verbrechen) is charged, when pre-trial detention is enforced, or when the severity of the expected sentence demands it. If the accused does not retain a lawyer, the court appoints one: the Court-Appointed Defense Lawyer.
You may – and should – choose your own
The decisive point that many accused do not know: you can propose the lawyer to be appointed. The court will generally follow your proposal. A court-appointed defense lawyer chosen by you works for you with the same commitment as a privately retained one – the appointment only changes how the fees are handled, not the duty of full dedication to your case.
What it costs
The fees of the appointed lawyer are initially paid by the state treasury. If you are finally convicted, the costs of the proceedings, including these fees, can be charged to you; if you are acquitted, they remain with the treasury. We explain the cost situation openly in the first consultation.
Appointed versus retained defense
The quality of your defense does not depend on the label but on the lawyer. What matters is criminal defense experience, knowledge of the local courts and prosecutors, and the time invested in your file. We defend appointed and retained clients with the same standard of work.
How to have Attorney Bafteh appointed
Simply name “Attorney Philip Bafteh, Bonn” in your reply to the court – or contact us and we take care of the formalities, including the deadline. We appear before the Bonn Local Court (Amtsgericht Bonn), the Bonn Regional Court (Landgericht Bonn) and the courts of the wider region.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do when the court asks me to name a defense lawyer? Respond within the deadline and name a lawyer of your choice. Otherwise the court selects one for you. You can name Attorney Philip Bafteh; for questions he can be reached around the clock at 0228 504 463 36.
Can I change a court-appointed defense lawyer I did not choose? A change is possible in particular within three weeks of the appointment if you promptly name another lawyer, and later in cases of a seriously damaged relationship of trust. The earlier you act, the easier it is.
Is a court-appointed defense lawyer free of charge? Not necessarily. The treasury advances the fees, but after a conviction the costs can be imposed on you. After an acquittal you pay nothing.
Each case depends on its individual circumstances. This page provides general information and does not replace legal advice in your specific matter.
Asked to name a defense lawyer? Call us before the deadline expires: 0228 504 463 36.