You may qualify for a public defender if you demonstrate financial need. This typically includes individuals who receive public assistance, are unemployed, or have income below 150% of the federal poverty level. The court will assess your financial situation to determine eligibility.

There is typically a $50 application fee to apply for public defender services. This fee may be waived if you cannot afford it. After your case is resolved, you may be required to pay additional fees based on your income, but this is determined on a case-by-case basis.

You can contact your public defender through your local circuit office. Use our Find My Public Defender tool to locate your office and get contact information. You can also call our customer support line at (800) 676-4432 for assistance.

If you have concerns about your representation, first try to discuss them with your attorney or the Circuit Public Defender at your local office. If the issue is not resolved, you can contact our central office at help@gapubdef.org or (800) 676-4432 to file a formal complaint.