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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
Suspect in custody in connection with 2017 murders of 2 girls in Delphi, Indiana 01:58
Inside the trial
The trial has been repeatedly delayed because of evidence leaks and the withdrawal of Allen's public defenders, who were later reinstated by the Indiana Supreme Court.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 18 Oct. 2024
Her public defender, Jennifer Patton, declined to comment to PEOPLE on the case.
—Emily Palmer, People.com, 17 Oct. 2024
Kristy Militello, the federal public defender assigned to Routh’s case, declined to comment after the hearing.
—Rob Picheta, CNN, 16 Sep. 2024
Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., the former president’s eldest sons, have remained public defenders of their father, attacking the four indictments and supporting his presidential campaign efforts.
—Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes, 10 Sep. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1822, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near public defender
Cite this Entry
“Public defender.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/public%20defender. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
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
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for public defender
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about public defender
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