Legal Question in Business Law in California

Yes, public defenders are only for criminal cases.

Public Defenders' duties vary from county to county, as additional responsibilities can be dumped on the public defender. For example, in Sonoma County the P.D. has responsibility for certain conservatorship and guardianship type cases that certainly don't involve criminal proceedings. However, nowhere will you find public defenders handling ordinary civil matters such as breach of contract suits.

(I worked in the Sonoma County Public Defender's office for three years as a law clerk while attending night law school)

I currently have a case pending in Placer County (Roseville courthouse) and do a lot of contract law cases all over the state. Are you a prospective plaintiff here, or a defendant who has been served with suitbut has a possible cross-complaint? If the latter, don't miss the filing deadlines for answers and "without leave of court" cross-complaints. I invite you to contact me directly with more details, and maybe we can negotiate a results-related fee arrangement.