Connecticut State Division of Public Defender Services

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.

Assigned Counsel Case Expenses

Assigned counsel have access to the same resources for representation as agency attorneys.  Requests for expenses in assigned counsel matters for adult criminal cases are handled by Deputy Chief Public Defender John Day and his staff and by the Director of Delinquency Defense and Child Protection for all child protection and delinquency cases Child Protection.  Expense requests are only accepted from the assigned counsel themselves, not the client.

Some of the more common expenses are:
Investigators
Subpoenas
Experts
Transcripts
Expert evaluations
Social workers
and more.