Aren public defenders supposed to be free?
Public defenders are free if you are determined to be indigent (please see our eligiblity page, Who We Serve, to find out if you qualify). If you have enough money that you are not considered indigent, but not enough to afford your own attorney, you are considered “able to contribute.” In this case, the OPD screener will have you sign a promissory note to help defray the cost of the attorney, which can be paid back over a period of months. In either case, under county law you still must pay the $25 processing fee.
