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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
These include law enforcement officers, corrections officers, public defenders, prosecutors and people who have received orders of protection, among others. Jill Cassidy, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024 My career as an Air Force captain, state legislator and felony public defender has prepared me for this role in unique ways. Sharon Coolidge, The Enquirer, 27 Oct. 2024 In this photo released by the U.S. Attorney's Office Connecticut, seized counterfeit pills are displayed Sept. 5, 2024, in East Have, Ct. U.S. Attorney's Office Connecticut via AP A federal public defender for Hinton did not immediately return an email seeking comment Monday. CBS News, 24 Sep. 2024 Kristy Militello, an assistant federal public defender representing Routh, asked during Monday’s hearing for Routh to be permitted to live with his sister in Greensboro, N.C., as the case moves forward. Eric Tucker and Alanna Durkin Richer, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for public defender 

Word History

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of public defender was in 1822

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 17 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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