Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

What is the difference in california between a public defender and a special public defender?


Asked on 4/11/12, 11:51 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Theresa Hofmeister Theresa Hofmeister, Attorney At Law

There are different offices - Public Defender, Alternate Public Defender (if PD's office has a conflict) and other "special PD's" - some are contractual, some deal with "special" cases, e.g. death penalty cases, or appellate issues.

For the client, I don't believe there is any substantial difference; it is an appointed attorney. Some come from governmental offices, some come from panels ... just different avenues to an appointed attorney.

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Answered on 4/12/12, 2:16 pm


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