A criminal defense lawyer appointed and paid to represent indigent persons charged with crimes. A public defender can either be a private attorney who accepts such cases and is compensated for each case, or a salaried attorney of a public defender agency. Also called "P.D."
"I don't have enough money to hire my own attorney. I am going to have to ask for a public defender."
By Cate
Public Defender
Anyone who has a job or role that involves defending the public, such as a police officer, security guard, or any of those militia organizations not regulated by the government
