In the United States, a public defender is a lawyer appointed by the courts and provided by the state or federal governments to represent and advise those charged with a crime or crimes who cannot afford to hire a private attorney.[1][2][3] Public defenders are full-time attorneys employed by the state or federal governments.[1] The public defender system is one of several types of criminal legal aid, the most common other system being appointed private counsel paid for by the government.[3]
- ^ a b School, Harvard Law. "Public Defenders | Harvard Law School". Harvard Law School. Retrieved November 13, 2016.
- ^ "Definition of INDIGENT". www.merriam-webster.com. Retrieved November 13, 2016.
- ^ a b Williams, Lisa (2012). "Careers in Indigent Defense (A Guide to Public Defender Programs)" (PDF). Harvard Law School. Retrieved November 10, 2016.