Can anyone advise me are state lawyers really just as good and prepared to fight tooth and nail as a privately paid lawyer? Has anyone experienced where the state lawyer seems to be working a little too much in favour for the prosecutor?

Huddles from what I have seen in California with my brothers is that the attorneys are usually really good... However they are on overload with cases and don't seem to be able to spend the time on a case the way a private attorney can. I know this isn't much help but wanted to say good luck to you and your friend.

Here in Tennessee, it seems the court appointed attorneys don't give a flip about the cases they work on, where its a person facing prison or not! Now it may not be like this everywhere in Tennessee, but it is for the counties that i've had family and friends dealing with! It's sad i think because they should care enoughn about what they do to help a person as much as they can, plus not get a name of " never winning a case!" you know?
Just my two cents worth,
Denise

PAID ATTORNEY ... all the way. At least here in Michigan ... it is by far the way to go. State attorneys sometimes are law students just getting out of school to get experience ... so along with being loaded down with cases ... they may lack some EXPERIENCE that you may need. That is not to say they don't know what they are doing ... cause I am sure they do. AN attorney who is been in the district you're in ..would be a good advantage ... they know more judges and more attorney's ..and may have the advantage of working out a better deal. Sometimes it's not what you know .. It is who ya know. And I am sure that is not true in all cases ...but it sure can't hurt. GOOOD LUCK!!!

You get what you pay for.

Appointed counsel (what you're referring to as 'State Attorneys') are either Public Defenders or private attorneys who are appointed by the Court for a particular case/defendant.

Public Defenders generally have an enormous workload, and cannot dedicate as much time to vigorously work the case, as a private attorney would. This does not mean that the defense is lacking, only that their resources are much more limited than a private attorney.

A private attorney who is appointed will likely have much more time and resources to diligently pursue the case than a Public Defender, but still not as well as one who is employed by retainer and fees.

Thanks everybody for your input this will help us make a decision.
best regards