public defender

noun

Definition of public defendernext
as in district attorney

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of public defender Culver, on the other hand, has practiced as both a prosecutor and assistant public defender, according him ample opportunity to meet juries in county court. — Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026 His federal public defender did not respond to a request for comment. — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 25 Oct. 2026 At first, Nakira was assigned a public defender named Kim Schultz. — Anja Aronowsky Cronberg, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2026 Reiner is currently represented by a public defender who attended the hearing on Friday. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for public defender
Recent Examples of Synonyms for public defender
  1. district attorney
  2. trial lawyer
  3. criminal lawyer
  4. prosecuting attorney
  5. prosecutor
Noun
  • The Monterey County district attorney’s office did not immediately respond to questions from The Times.
    — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Greg Totten, the association’s CEO and former longtime Ventura County district attorney, also criticized the decision and its impact on victims’ families.
    — Michael McGough, Sacbee.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of district attorney
Noun
  • Kay’s latest appeal says his trial lawyer pressured him to reject a plea deal carrying five to 10 years and questions testimony about who extracted data from Skaggs’ phone.
    — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Before giving up law completely, Ponder still dipped her toes in the craft, pulling double duty as a trial lawyer by day and moonlighting in projects like Danielle Ponder & the Tomorrow People by night.
    — Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of trial lawyer
Noun
  • In a statement to Rolling Stone, Gonzalez’s criminal lawyer, Elliot Zarabi, questioned why Avery didn’t seek a domestic violence restraining order years ago.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2026
  • True to the life of a much-sought-after criminal lawyer, Reddington has also represented prominent clients who weren't able to beat the charges against them.
    — Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of criminal lawyer
Noun
  • Mario Mitchell, 40, on Thursday was convicted of that charge and tampering with physical evidence, according to a news release from the office of Mark Gibson, Platte County prosecuting attorney.
    — Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The chief prosecutor in local criminal courts – the titles vary, such as district attorney, prosecuting attorney, state’s attorney or county attorney – has enormous discretionary power over criminal law enforcement.
    — Ronald Wright, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of prosecuting attorney
Noun
  • Tamaulipas state prosecutor Jesús Govea said investigators had interviewed Pardo and other witnesses and were reviewing video footage and ballistic evidence to determine who fired the fatal shot and how the family became caught up in the operation.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 11 Nov. 2026
  • State prosecutors say that in April 2026, Michigan State Police troopers and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives went to a home in Inkster to execute a search warrant when Wilson allegedly fled the home at high speed.
    — DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of prosecutor

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public defender
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Cite this Entry

“Public defender.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/public%20defender. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on public defender

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about public defender

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