There are no programs per se that will have any substantive legal assistance for your son. The "system" is set up for plea bargains. Without proper legal representation, the accused has little if any way to prevail at trial. The "free" public defender is not going to be a seasoned courtroom battler, therefore getting released via court victory is nearly impossible. Real trial lawyers that are used to fighting in open court are rare and very expensive. If your son has to go to trial, one little known fact is that the same legal resource that funds the public defender for you must also pay for your investigator.