public defender

views updated May 21 2018

pub·lic de·fend·er • n. Law a lawyer employed at public expense in a criminal trial to represent a defendant who is unable to afford legal assistance.

Public Defender

views updated May 23 2018

PUBLIC DEFENDER

An attorney appointed by a court or employed by the government to represent indigent defendants in criminal actions.

cross-references

Right to Counsel.

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public defender

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