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
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The small state agency contracts with private defense attorneys to represent indigent defendants who cannot be represented by the Office of the State Public Defender, typically when public defenders — the first choice for indigent defense — have a conflict of interest.
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Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 27 May 2026
Hudson's federal public defenders have declined to comment on the charges.
—Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 27 May 2026
Hudson’s federal public defenders have declined to comment on the charges.
—Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026
His attorney, assistant public defender James Thomas, did not return a call Wednesday seeking comment on the charges.
—Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 27 May 2026
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Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 27 May 2026
Hudson's federal public defenders have declined to comment on the charges.
—Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 27 May 2026
Hudson’s federal public defenders have declined to comment on the charges.
—Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026
His attorney, assistant public defender James Thomas, did not return a call Wednesday seeking comment on the charges.
—Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for public defender
Cite this Entry
“Public defender.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/public%20defender. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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