Accused, not convicted, and if he's got funds in a brainwallet he can afford a team of good lawyers.

That is, if he can convert his e-money into real money; I doubt lawyers would accept bitcoins, certainly when they're about to work for the guy whose site played an important part in the rise and valuation of bitcoins.

I think that all depends on how many bitcoins. Lawyers aren't stupid. If he offered a multiple of their standard fee, paid in bitcoins at the current exchange, I doubt he would have any difficulties. (There are already plenty of successful lawyers out there defending wealthy clients on drug trafficking charges, and they obviously have a pretty good idea where their fees are ultimately coming from.)

No doubt he put all his money in bitcoins, and never ever converted any money.

Lawyers are very careful not accept money that may be related to a crime. I doubt he has significant savings that he can prove was earned outside of Silk Road.

If that's the case, I don't know how any accused drug dealer or mafioso ever gets a lawyer. Or what happened to presumption of innocence.

The lawyer is often on a retainer far and above base rates, building up a supply of credit. Often, for a bonus, such retainer might be paid by a “legitimate business” as a convenient employment perk, or by a corrupt union that the accused is a member of...

Most already have those attorneys on significant retainer.

they get paid with money already laundered.

Apparently not. He is being represented by a public defender.

I guess the "quality" of an attorney is most important for cases that are decided by evidence and procedure. ISTM that if the feds come after you for this set of crimes it doesn't matter who your lawyer is or what you did or didn't do, you're going to be found guilty. The accused in this case can negotiate for the possession of the BTC with or without a "good" lawyer. He just needs a competent lawyer to supervise the terms of his guilty plea.

That's true, but for better or for worse US Attorneys have a very strong track record. Over 90% cases where the government files charges end up in guilty pleas or guilty verdicts.

Particularly given the potential capital sentence, I'm pretty sure he's lawyers -- expensive or not -- will recommend taking a plea if one is offered. Whether or not he'll take it is a different story.

>Over 90% cases where the government files charges end up in guilty pleas or guilty verdicts.

Perhaps that's because they easily RICO the possessions of almost all defendants.

I would imagine he's nit allowed anywhere near a computer right now. And most likely the blockchain will be watched to see if there are any outgoing transactions.