public defender

State-funded legal counsel

A public defender is a lawyer employed by the government to represent defendants who cannot afford private counsel.

The right to legal representation regardless of ability to pay is fundamental to the American justice system: The judge appointed a public defender when she learned the accused was indigent.

Public defenders typically carry heavy caseloads.

courtroom

trial

Judicial examination of claims

arraignmentCharge-reading court session
pleaFormal request or defense
bailCourt-set release payment

verdict · testimony · cross-examination · acquittal · sentencing · appeal · docket · courtroom · evidence · witness

indigent

pro bono

Free professional services

povertySevere lack of resources
underprivilegedLacking usual social advantages
disadvantagedLacking social or economic resources

low-income · state-funded · legal aid · constitutional right · Gideon · Miranda · right to counsel · court-appointed · means test · qualifying

systemic

overworked

Laboring beyond healthy limits

underfundedInsufficiently financially supported
caseloadProfessional's assigned matters
burnoutChronic occupational depletion

reform · inequality · mass incarceration · staffing · budget · workload · systemic · institutional · overburdened · backlog

advocacy

champion

Top competitor, or advocate

guardianProtective caretaker of another
protectorOne who safeguards others
voiceSound from throat

representation · counsel · due process · fair trial · rights · equal justice · access · civil liberties · zealous · client

public defender

trial

pro bono

overworked

champion

public defender

Opposites

Categories

Family