What will it cost to be represented by a public defender?
A. Adults charged with a crime and parents of juveniles may have to pay fees ordered by the court at the conclusion of the case. The client or parent is referred to the Cost Recovery Department of the county by the judge who orders the amount to be paid. The Cost Recovery Department makes a determination as to how much, if any, of the ordered amount the person can afford to pay. This determination is made on a sliding scale based upon the person’s financial resources. A payment scheduled may be arranged with the Cost Recovery Department. The Office of the Public Defender is not involved in the determination of, or collection of fees. Q.
