The state of Arizona will appoint a public defender for a person who cannot afford to retain a lawyer to defend them against criminal charges. The lawyer will represent you in court and provide free legal guidance, advice, and defense. The alternative to a state-appointed attorney is to hire a private legal team. The cost to hire a private lawyer depends on many factors, such as the degree of the crime and the amount of hours the case takes to prepare, which generally requires one or more consultations to determine.