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.

Income Eligibility Guidelines for Public Defender Services
Seperated Bar

Effective January 1, 2025 (revised December 4, 2024)

An accused whose gross annual income is at or below the following amounts may be found eligible for public defender services.

Accused without any dependents $37,650
Accused with one dependent $51,100
Accused with two dependent
$64,550
Accused with three dependent $78,000
Each additional dependent $13,450