Whom does the public defender work for? How closely do they work with the district attorney?

Public defenders are paid by the state, as are district attorneys or prosecutors. But their functions and responsibilities are very different. The district attorney represents the citizens of his state. A public defender represents individuals who are charged with committing crimes. Once assigned to a case, a public defender's loyalties are undivided and lie with the accused person he represents.

The district attorney and public defender are adversaries. However, because many cases end in plea bargains, which usually involve an offer made by the district attorney to the public defender, it may seem like the two work closely together. And it may well be that particular public defenders and district attorneys have a good working relationship, especially if they're assigned to the same courtroom for months at a time.

But make no mistake about it: Public defenders and district attorneys are not "in cahoots." Public defenders are as committed to their clients as are private criminal defense attorneys. On the whole, public defenders perform at least as well as private attorneys and for far less pay and often less glory.

Tags: public defenders responsibilities represents charged committing crimes district attorney