
All people,
regardless of their means, deserve fair and equal justice.
Request for
Public Defender Services
Use this simple request form to determine if you meet the qualifications for representation by a Public Defense Attorney.
Know Your Rights
If you don’t know your rights, you might not know if they are violated. If you are not informed that you have a right to not make statements against your own interest, then you may well make a statement that could later send you to jail.
Court Procedure
A lack of knowledge about this process can cause undue anxiety for you during an already stressful time. Many people arrested for first-time criminal offenses believe that they will be going to trial on their first hearing date. In actuality, the first hearing date for any criminal case will be an arraignment, where a person begins the judicial process by entering a preliminary plea of guilty or not guilty. A trial doesn’t occur until after multiple court dates and a very specific procedure.
If you understand the process, you can build a good working relationship with your attorneys and be more prepared for the path ahead.
DRUG COURT
COMMUNITY
ORIENTED
DEFENSE
Community Oriented Defense is both philosophy and a specific program. The approach is to engage community stakeholders (Judiciary, Defense, Prosecution, and Social Services) in an effort to address the causes of criminal activity and attempt to eliminate reoffending.
Resources
Contact your elected parish officials
Find information for other District Public Defender Offices
Research civil and criminal laws, or legislative bills
Find an attorney for a civil case (divorce, child custody, paternity)
Support someone with Developmental or Mental Disabilities
Seek housing assistance or Section 8 in St. Charles Parish