Public Defender Service

Who We Are

• The Public Defender Service provides defense on a court-appointed basis for criminal (trial and appellate) and delinquency cases where the defendants and respondents are indigent adults and juveniles.
• Its Mental Health Division provides representation to persons facing involuntary civil commitment based on allegations that the person is a danger to self or others as a result of mental illness.
• It has a parole division that represents almost all defendants charged with violating parole and facing revocation.
• It provides assistance and sample legal pleadings (but not legal representation) to individual who are seeking to seal their adult DC criminal records.

Who We Serve

Area(s): Statewide

Additional Service Area Info

PDS serves persons with criminal or juvenile records in DC Superior Court, regardless of where the person currently resides.

Language(s) Spoken

• French / Français
• Spanish / Español

Cirumstances and languages in which interpreters are provided

If a client does not speak English and we do not have someone on staff who speaks the client’s language fluently, we will hire an interpreter. If investigating client’s case requires interpretation (for example, to communicate with a witness), again, we either use staff or hire an interpreter as necessary.

Income Guidelines

No income requirements for assistance by the duty day attorney in determining criminal records sealing eligibility and for receiving the sample motions package.

Is this organization accessible by wheelchair?: Yes

Does this organization provide access for the hearing impaired?: Yes

Type of Help

This group provides the following types of services based on your legal needs and its resources:

• Brief Advice
• Self-Help Materials