Public Defender Service
(COURT APPOINTED ATTORNEYS)

This office interviews applicants for court-appointed attorneys for:
 

Misdemeanors

Felonies

Defending paternity suits

PPO Violations

We do not appoint for domestic (divorce, personal protection orders (PPO), custody, visitation) except for violations of Personal Protection Orders.  The Court can appoint an attorney from the bench for persons who have been arrested for non-payment of child support and cannot afford his/her own attorney.

Although the interviews and appointments of attorneys take place in the Public Defender Service Office, the actual attorneys maintain offices outside of the Judicial Center Building.  If you qualify for a court-appointed attorney, all the necessary information regarding your appointed attorney will be give to you.

Interviews must be done in person.  We can not appoint an attorney to represent you over the phone.  In order to have an attorney appointed for you, the District Court has guidelines you must meet for misdemeanors regarding the amount of your weekly take-home pay.  Felony appointments are done on a case-by-case basis and also take assets into consideration.  We do not appoint for the following misdemeanors:  

	Minor in Possession
	Transportation of Intoxicants
	Possession of Intoxicants
	Minors with Blood Alcohol Content
	Failure to Pay Fine or Appear for Driving With License Suspended (unless jail time can be imposed)
	Expired Operators License
	Expired Plates
	No Operators License on person or never applied

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PAYMENT OF ATTORNEY FEE