> "[1]State public defender quality varies, but the feds are very good." Somebody who is in unfamiliar territory in this sort of situation, which would be just

> "[1]State public defender quality varies, but the feds are very good." Somebody who is in unfamiliar territory in this sort of situation, which would be just about everyone who isn't a lawyer, very likely would not know that. This makes the threat of financial ruination effective, even if financial ruination isn't actually their only option.