Every Criminal Defendant is entitled to Counsel. A Criminal Attorney may be appointed by the court when a defendant is indigent and cannot afford to hire an Attorney. In Kansas, even though the defendant is indigent, the defendant can be ordered to pay for the attorney via monthly payments to the court while the case is ongoing or; if convicted, as a part of the costs to the defendant at the time of sentencing. A defendant receiving an appointed Attorney does not get to choose who is appointed. At any time during the court process a client may hire an Attorney to enter into their case, relieving prior counsel.
Any criminal defendant should not discuss their case with anyone but their attorney who is bound to confidentiality. Anyone else could become a witness against the defendant.