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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Dixon is set to be arraigned on Jan. 27, online records show, and is represented by a public defender. Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2025 His assistant public defender, Darren Johnson, declined to comment on Thursday about the case. Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 3 Jan. 2025 On June 19, 2020, Ms. Morrison left her job as a public defender in Nashville to move home with her mother in Cape May, N.J., to help with Ms. Wilsey’s care. Jenny Block, New York Times, 27 Dec. 2024 After stints as an elementary school teacher and a federal public defender. Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 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 18 Jan. 2025.

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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