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What is the difference between a public defender and a Legal Aid lawyer?

April 26, 2017aid defender difference Lawyer Legal public

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What is the difference between a public defender and a Legal Aid lawyer?

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Public defenders are paid by the state to handle criminal cases as part of the state’s constitutional responsibility to provide legal representation for criminal defendants who cannot afford to hire a private attorney. Legal Aid lawyers are lawyers who handle civil (rather than criminal) cases, such as lawsuits, evictions, or divorces. Legal Aid lawyers usually provide their services free of charge. There is no constitutional right to a Legal Aid lawyer (for civil legal issues). There is a constitutional right to a public defender (for criminal charges) if you cannot afford to hire a lawyer on your own.