CTA1_Getting Lawyer@2x Getting A Lawyer

In most cases deputy public defenders are appointed by the court. If you are charged with a crime and cannot afford to hire an attorney, ask the court to appoint a public defender at your first appearance before a judge. You may be asked to submit a financial declaration to determine eligibility. If you have questions about whether you need a public defender or qualify for one, call any of the branch offices listed on this website. Generally, the person seeking our representation must be indigent. This means that they are without the resources to hire their own attorney.
CTA2_Employment@2x Employment/ Internships

The Orange County Office of the Public Defender’s Volunteer Student Program has become a highly-regarded volunteer opportunity for interested Law Students (1L, 2L, 3L, LLM, and Post-Bar’s) and responsible, thoughtful, conscientious undergraduates. Our volunteers come from law schools and undergraduate institutions from across the nation (e.g., Georgetown Law, George Washington University Law, Harvard Law and Yale, Cornell, Columbia) as well as robust local representation (e.g., UCI Law, UCLA Law, USC Gould, Berkeley Law, Chapman Law, Stanford, Claremont-McKenna, Scripps, Pitzer, USC, UCLA, and Trinity Law).
CTA3_FAQs@2x FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions
CTA5_Dismissal@2x Clean Slate

The Orange County Public Defender Clean Slate assists those who are seeking to clean their record.

Quick Links

The Offices of the Orange County Public Defender strive to advance a more humane and compassionate justice system by protecting the constitutional rights and freedoms of the diverse communities of Orange County through inspired, client-centered advocacy in the courtroom and the community.