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.
For the record, there are plenty of skilled public defenders out there. Sara Netzley, EW.com, 10 Dec. 2024 Patel started his career as a public defender in Florida and later became a federal prosecutor. Audrey Nguyen, NPR, 10 Dec. 2024 In the new filing, Routh’s public defenders said the government’s discovery production only became accessible on Nov. 19, more than four months after his indictment. Ella Lee, The Hill, 9 Dec. 2024 Advertisement Wen’s federal public defender did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 3 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 22 Dec. 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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