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
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McCormick asked the presiding judge to set bond at $2 million, while Rains’ public defender asked for $100,000, saying Rains had a minimal criminal history.
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Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 20 May 2026
Court records show he is being represented by a public defender.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 20 May 2026
On the last day of the trial Monday, both the prosecutor and public defender relied heavily on security videos from the upscale, outdoor mall in San Jose to make their case, including graphic images that left the family of the victim sobbing in the courtroom.
—Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 19 May 2026
Judge Shannon Cooley halted the case against Ivanna Ortiz, 35, after meeting privately with a public defender and finding enough evidence to question Ortiz’s mental competency, a court source confirmed to Rolling Stone.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for public defender
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Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 20 May 2026
Court records show he is being represented by a public defender.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 20 May 2026
On the last day of the trial Monday, both the prosecutor and public defender relied heavily on security videos from the upscale, outdoor mall in San Jose to make their case, including graphic images that left the family of the victim sobbing in the courtroom.
—Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 19 May 2026
Judge Shannon Cooley halted the case against Ivanna Ortiz, 35, after meeting privately with a public defender and finding enough evidence to question Ortiz’s mental competency, a court source confirmed to Rolling Stone.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for public defender
Cite this Entry
“Public defender.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/public%20defender. Accessed 27 May. 2026.
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