Under Penal Code Section 987.2, the County is obligated to pay the costs associated with the representation of indigent defendants. Defendants are first referred to the Public Defender. When the representation of a defendant by the Public Defender results in a conflict of interest, or for any other reason the Public Defender cannot accept a case, the Alternate Public Defender (APD) performs a similar review. Should the APD be unable to represent an indigent defendant, then outside counsel must be appointed.
Click on the appropriate button below for information about the qualifications for indigent defense as well as billing guidelines.