public defender
noun
: a lawyer usually holding public office whose duty is to defend accused persons unable to pay for legal assistance
Examples of public defender in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
An assistant Cook County public defender said Tate was currently a junior at Pathways High School and lives with his older sister, who works as a housekeeper.
—
Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
The late public defender, Bob Wesley, was an outspoken critic of the bail system and a fervent advocate for the Bail Project.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 May 2026
Democratic candidate Terri Pickens, a former public defender, has raised about $95,000.
—Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 1 May 2026
His public defender, Angelle Boudreaux, has argued in court papers that there is no basis to detain Marcoulier.
—Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for public defender
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
The late public defender, Bob Wesley, was an outspoken critic of the bail system and a fervent advocate for the Bail Project.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 May 2026
Democratic candidate Terri Pickens, a former public defender, has raised about $95,000.
—Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 1 May 2026
His public defender, Angelle Boudreaux, has argued in court papers that there is no basis to detain Marcoulier.
—Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for public defender
Cite this Entry
“Public defender.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/public%20defender. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
