Income Eligibility Guidelines 2017-2018

Members of the public have reported receiving calls, reportedly from the Judicial Branch of the Public Defender’s office, indicating that their loved one is in jail and they need to immediately send cash or provide a credit card number for bail. These calls are scams, so please do not send cash or provide your credit card number or any other personal information. A public defender would never call and ask for money or credit card information. If you receive such a call, contact the State Police in your state.

Gross Annually

Income Eligibility Guidelines
Misdemeanor and Youthful Offender (misdemeanor) Felony Youthful Offender (felony), Juvenile Matters, Family Matters and Child Protection	Income Eligibility Guidelines for 2017-2018. These guidelines were adopted by the Public Defender Services Commission, effective July 1, 2017. The income guidelines reflect the increase in the federal poverty guideline for 2017, and replace the income guidelines currently in use.

*Misdemeanor and Youthful Offender (misdemeanor)*
An accused, whose gross annual income is at or below the following amounts may be found eligible:
If the most serious charge is a Misdemeanor

Accused without dependents	$18,090
Accused with one dependent	$24,360
Accused with two dependent	$30,630
Accused with three dependent	$36,900
Each additional dependent	$6,270

Felony
An accused, whose gross annual income is at or below the following amounts may be found eligible:
If the most serious charge is a Felony
Gross Annually
Accused without dependents	$24,120
Accused with one dependent	$32,480
Accused with two dependent	$40,840
Accused with three dependent	$49,200
Each additional dependent	$8,360

*Youthful Offender (felony), Juvenile Matters, Family Matters and Child Protection*
A prospective client whose parent(s) gross annual income is at or below the following amounts, may be found eligible for representation in any delinquency matter:
Gross Annually
Single Parent Household and Juvenile	$32,480
Dual Parent Household and Juvenile	$40,840
Each Additional Parental Dependent	$8,360

Connecticut State Division of Public Defender Services