Find public defense programmes, provider directories and court instructions for requesting appointed counsel. Appointment, financial eligibility and case-type limits vary.
In California, 44 county departments and 14 state agencies publish 70 official links for this service. Reviewed requirements cover eligibility (24) and availability notices (2). 14 counties have a page for it below.
58 guides with reviewed service links · Reviewed local guides
Highlighted counties have a reviewed service guide matching this selection. An agency may serve only a city or part of a county.
U.S. Census boundaries via U.S. Atlas · 2017 edition, simplified for display.
Showing 58 guides as a short list. Choose your county or type a city above to see each guide’s instructions, conditions and sources here.
Official county public defender office information. Confirm the appropriate contact, jurisdiction and any appointment or representation requirements with the provider.
Full guide, contact details & sources →Superior Court for Alpine County. Court locations and divisions handle different case types; confirm the correct branch and service before visiting.
Full guide, contact details & sources →Superior Court for Amador County. Court locations and divisions handle different case types; confirm the correct branch and service before visiting.
Full guide, contact details & sources →Superior Court for Butte County. Court locations and divisions handle different case types; confirm the correct branch and service before visiting.
Full guide, contact details & sources →County-published public defender contact notice dated 16 February 2022. Confirm the current provider and appointment process; this historical notice does not establish a currently staffed county office.
Full guide, contact details & sources →Superior Court for Colusa County. Court locations and divisions handle different case types; confirm the correct branch and service before visiting.
Full guide, contact details & sources →Official county public defender office information. Confirm the appropriate contact, jurisdiction and any appointment or representation requirements with the provider.
Full guide, contact details & sources →Superior Court for Del Norte County. Court locations and divisions handle different case types; confirm the correct branch and service before visiting.
Full guide, contact details & sources →Official county public defender office information. Confirm the appropriate contact, jurisdiction and any appointment or representation requirements with the provider.
Full guide, contact details & sources →Official county public defender office information. Confirm the appropriate contact, jurisdiction and any appointment or representation requirements with the provider.
Full guide, contact details & sources →County public defense programme information. Confirm the current provider and court appointment process using these official instructions; this programme guide is not a claim that the county operates a staffed public defender office.
Full guide, contact details & sources →Official county public defender office information. Confirm the appropriate contact, jurisdiction and any appointment or representation requirements with the provider.
Full guide, contact details & sources →Official county public defender office information. Confirm the appropriate contact, jurisdiction and any appointment or representation requirements with the provider.
Full guide, contact details & sources →Superior Court for Inyo County. Court locations and divisions handle different case types; confirm the correct branch and service before visiting.
Full guide, contact details & sources →Official county public defender office information. Confirm the appropriate contact, jurisdiction and any appointment or representation requirements with the provider.
Full guide, contact details & sources →The county administers appointed indigent defense through contracted attorneys. This programme guide is not a separate staffed county public defender office.
The attorneys that are contracted for this purpose are appointed on cases to represent indigent individuals and advocate for them with the courts.
Official information checked October 26, 2026 · Details & sources
Official county public defender office information. Confirm the appropriate contact, jurisdiction and any appointment or representation requirements with the provider.
Full guide, contact details & sources →Superior Court for Lassen County. Court locations and divisions handle different case types; confirm the correct branch and service before visiting.
Full guide, contact details & sources →Official county public defender office information. Confirm the appropriate contact, jurisdiction and any appointment or representation requirements with the provider.
Full guide, contact details & sources →Superior Court for Madera County. Court locations and divisions handle different case types; confirm the correct branch and service before visiting.
Full guide, contact details & sources →Official county public defender office information. Confirm the appropriate contact, jurisdiction and any appointment or representation requirements with the provider.
Full guide, contact details & sources →Superior Court for Mariposa County. Court locations and divisions handle different case types; confirm the correct branch and service before visiting.
Full guide, contact details & sources →Official county public defender office information. Confirm the appropriate contact, jurisdiction and any appointment or representation requirements with the provider.
Full guide, contact details & sources →Official county public defender office information. Confirm the appropriate contact, jurisdiction and any appointment or representation requirements with the provider.
Full guide, contact details & sources →County public defense programme information. Confirm the current provider and court appointment process using these official instructions; this programme guide is not a claim that the county operates a staffed public defender office.
Full guide, contact details & sources →Official county public defender office information. Confirm the appropriate contact, jurisdiction and any appointment or representation requirements with the provider.
Full guide, contact details & sources →Official county public defender office information. Confirm the appropriate contact, jurisdiction and any appointment or representation requirements with the provider.
Full guide, contact details & sources →Official county public defender office information. Confirm the appropriate contact, jurisdiction and any appointment or representation requirements with the provider.
Full guide, contact details & sources →Official county public defender office information. Confirm the appropriate contact, jurisdiction and any appointment or representation requirements with the provider.
Full guide, contact details & sources →Official county public defender office information. Confirm the appropriate contact, jurisdiction and any appointment or representation requirements with the provider.
Full guide, contact details & sources →Superior Court for Placer County. Court locations and divisions handle different case types; confirm the correct branch and service before visiting.
If you are charged with an infraction and would like an attorney, you must contract with the attorney yourself.
Official information checked October 26, 2026 · Details & sources
Official sheriff-hosted directory of public defenders for people in county custody. Confirm court appointment and current assigned counsel; this directory is not evidence of a staffed county public defender office.
Full guide, contact details & sources →Official county public defender office information. Confirm the appropriate contact, jurisdiction and any appointment or representation requirements with the provider.
Full guide, contact details & sources →Official county public defender office information. Confirm the appropriate contact, jurisdiction and any appointment or representation requirements with the provider.
Full guide, contact details & sources →County public defense programme information. Confirm the current provider and court appointment process using these official instructions; this programme guide is not a claim that the county operates a staffed public defender office.
Full guide, contact details & sources →Official county public defender office information. Confirm the appropriate contact, jurisdiction and any appointment or representation requirements with the provider.
Full guide, contact details & sources →Official county public defender office information. Confirm the appropriate contact, jurisdiction and any appointment or representation requirements with the provider.
Full guide, contact details & sources →Official county public defender office information. Confirm the appropriate contact, jurisdiction and any appointment or representation requirements with the provider.
Full guide, contact details & sources →Official county public defender office information. Confirm the appropriate contact, jurisdiction and any appointment or representation requirements with the provider.
Full guide, contact details & sources →County public defense programme information. Confirm the current provider and court appointment process using these official instructions; this programme guide is not a claim that the county operates a staffed public defender office.
Full guide, contact details & sources →County public-defense programme delivered by the San Mateo County Bar Association as managed assigned counsel. This is not a county-staffed public defender office or a new independent government identity. Appointment and financial eligibility are determined through the Superior Court.
Full guide, contact details & sources →Official county public defender office information. Confirm the appropriate contact, jurisdiction and any appointment or representation requirements with the provider.
Full guide, contact details & sources →Official county public defender office information. Confirm the appropriate contact, jurisdiction and any appointment or representation requirements with the provider.
Full guide, contact details & sources →Official county public defender office information. Confirm the appropriate contact, jurisdiction and any appointment or representation requirements with the provider.
Full guide, contact details & sources →Official county public defender office information. Confirm the appropriate contact, jurisdiction and any appointment or representation requirements with the provider.
Full guide, contact details & sources →Superior Court for Sierra County. Court locations and divisions handle different case types; confirm the correct branch and service before visiting.
Full guide, contact details & sources →Official county public defender office information. Confirm the appropriate contact, jurisdiction and any appointment or representation requirements with the provider.
Full guide, contact details & sources →Official county public defender office information. Confirm the appropriate contact, jurisdiction and any appointment or representation requirements with the provider.
Full guide, contact details & sources →Official county public defender office information. Confirm the appropriate contact, jurisdiction and any appointment or representation requirements with the provider.
Full guide, contact details & sources →Official county public defender office information. Confirm the appropriate contact, jurisdiction and any appointment or representation requirements with the provider.
Full guide, contact details & sources →Official county public defender office information. Confirm the appropriate contact, jurisdiction and any appointment or representation requirements with the provider.
Full guide, contact details & sources →Superior Court for Tehama County. Court locations and divisions handle different case types; confirm the correct branch and service before visiting.
Full guide, contact details & sources →Superior Court for Trinity County. Court locations and divisions handle different case types; confirm the correct branch and service before visiting.
Full guide, contact details & sources →Official county public defender office information. Confirm the appropriate contact, jurisdiction and any appointment or representation requirements with the provider.
Full guide, contact details & sources →Official county public defender office information. Confirm the appropriate contact, jurisdiction and any appointment or representation requirements with the provider.
Full guide, contact details & sources →Official county public defender office information. Confirm the appropriate contact, jurisdiction and any appointment or representation requirements with the provider.
Full guide, contact details & sources →Official county public defender office information. Confirm the appropriate contact, jurisdiction and any appointment or representation requirements with the provider.
Full guide, contact details & sources →Superior Court for Yuba County. Court locations and divisions handle different case types; confirm the correct branch and service before visiting.
Full guide, contact details & sources →