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 Contracts

  1. Most contracts are annual contracts, effective at the start of every agency fiscal year on July 1st.
  2. Most contracts are for specific practice areas and specific court locations, executed according to agency need, request of the assigned counsel attorney, and attorney qualifications.
  3. The Assigned Counsel Unit advertises annually, usually in November (for a 2-week period), for new assigned counsel and for current assigned counsel to add practice areas and court locations. The court locations advertised are based on agency need for more counsel for the next fiscal year. Attorneys who are new should apply during this application period.
    1. Advertisements can be found in the CT Law Journal and on this Assigned Counsel OCPD website page, as well as other resources.
    2. Interested attorneys can inquire at any time of the year and will be given direction and assistance regarding how and when to apply.
    3. The Assigned Counsel Unit may change or add to the application process according to agency need.