public defender

noun

: a lawyer usually holding public office whose duty is to defend accused persons unable to pay for legal assistance

Examples of public defender in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Vicki Brambl, an assistant federal public defender in Tucson, Arizona, says certain risk factors—like a prior criminal history, drug use or growing up in a low-income household—can increase the likelihood someone will get involved with smuggling. Avery Schmitz, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025 El Dorado Chief Assistant District Attorney Lisette Suder, who is prosecuting the case against McFarlin, said in court that her office was responding to a large request from McFarlin’s public defender, Tim Pappas, for evidence gathered during the investigation. Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 29 Sep. 2025 Role as federal public defender Nachmanoff formerly served as a federal public defender from 2002 to 2015. Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025 Brown’s public defender in that case requested an evaluation of his mental competency. Mary Ramsey updated September 25, Charlotte Observer, 25 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for public defender

Word History

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of public defender was in 1822

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Cite this Entry

“Public defender.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/public%20defender. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.

Legal Definition

public defender

noun
: a lawyer usually holding public office who represents criminal defendants unable to pay for legal assistance

More from Merriam-Webster on public defender

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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