Services Overview

Mandated Services

The Public Defender is the primary defense attorney for indigent individuals accused of crimes or otherwise facing potential incarceration or loss of liberty.

For these individuals, legal representation at public expense is mandated by the US Constitution, California Constitution, and the Alameda County Charter.

Conflict of Interest

If the Public Defender has a legal or ethical conflict of interest, the case is referred to the Court Appointed Attorneys Program (CAAP), which operates pursuant to a contract administered by the County Administrator, under the Indigent Defense budget.

DISCLAIMER: This site is meant to provide information of a general nature which you should verify with an attorney before relying upon it. It does not provide legal advice and is not meant to establish an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice you should ALWAYS contact an attorney.