OBTAINING A
PUBLIC DEFENDER
Securing the most effective defense attorney for your case is just a few steps away.
APPLY FOR A LAWYER
To obtain the services of a public defender attorney, you must fill out a Request for Lawyer form and file it with the clerk’s office of the court in which you have been charged with a crime. If the court finds that you financially qualify for a public defender, it will send a form notifying you and the program that the Public Defender has been appointed to represent you. The program will then send you a letter notifying you of the name of your attorney.
If you’re unable to complete this form digitally, please call 1-800-464-0652.
MEET WITH YOUR LAWYER
Before your court date, you will have ample opportunity to meet with your lawyer and prepare; be sure to contact the office to schedule an appointment. It is very important that you keep your appointments with your lawyer. Additionally, make sure your lawyer and the court are informed if you change your address or phone number.
ACHIEVE THE BEST POSSIBLE OUTCOME
When you are appointed a public defender, you receive an entire team of professionals committed to diligently working towards securing the most favorable resolution possible. They will demonstrate steadfast dedication to ensuring your case reaches the best possible outcome and that it receives all the necessary resources to achieve that result.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What do I get when I am assigned a public defender?
N.H. Public Defender is nationally recognized for delivering high-quality representation. We receive hundreds of applicants annually from law schools across the country, including prestigious institutions. Competition for public defender positions is fierce, ensuring that once you’re assigned an attorney, you can trust in their expertise. All our attorneys undergo rigorous five-week training and receive mentorship at the outset of their practice. A significant portion of our attorneys have been with us for over a decade. In many cases, we assign two attorneys, especially for serious charges or cases requiring extensive attention. Within our firm, we have a diverse team including investigators, paralegals, treatment coordinators, legal assistants, and social service advocates. Depending on your case’s needs, you may have a whole team working to provide you with top-notch representation. Our attorneys have access to cutting-edge technology and premier legal research tools. Additionally, with a public defender, we have the ability to request funds from the Court to hire expert witnesses for your defense. When you’re assigned a public defender, rest assured, you’re in capable hands.
What sort of cases do you provide representation for?
We provide representation for any adult facing a consequence where incarceration is a possibility. We also represent youth who are charged with a delinquent act. If your not sure if your criminal matter qualifies for a public defender, call us.
What if I have questions about a criminal matter, but nothing has been filed in Court yet?
Part of what we do is provide legal advice to any citizen that has questions about a criminal matter.
How do I get a public defender assigned?
View Court Locations Here
Lawyer Request Form
If you’re unable to complete this form digitally or need help filing a financial affidavit, please call 1-800-464-0652.
How do I contact my public defender?
If you are trying to figure out who your public defender is, the first step is contacting the office that covers the area where your arrest occurred. Once you give them your name and date of birth, the office will be able to give you the name of the public defender assigned to your case. The next step after learning the name of your attorney is to ask to speak to the legal assistant that supports the attorney assigned to your case. This legal assistant can make arrangements for you to speak to your attorney.
My significant other was arrested and held last night, will they have an attorney tomorrow?
There are a number of reasons why an individual may be arrested and held in a jail. Some arrests may result in a next day hearing, and some will not. If the arrest is the result of a new charge that is being filed with the Court, an arraignment in Court is scheduled for the next day. If it is a state level felony charge, a public defender will be present to assist your significant other with their arraignment. In all other situations a public defender may also be there to assist. If you are not sure the status of the arrest and or want to provide helpful information to a public defender, please call your closest public defender’s office, or 1-800-464-0652, and explain the situation.
RELATED AGENCIES
The Public Defender represents only people found to be indigent based on their financial affidavits who are charged with crimes that carry the possibility of incarceration upon conviction.
If you are charged with a crime, but you are not found to be indigent by the court, you cannot get the services of a public defender. You will have to hire an attorney to represent you.
If you need a lawyer, but you are not charged with a crime in a New Hampshire state court, the following agencies may be able to help: