public defender

noun

Definition of public defendernext
as in district attorney

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of public defender Defense attorney Laura Koenig, an assistant federal public defender, declined to elaborate in response to an Associated Press inquiry. — CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 The court then sent the case back to district court to determine whether Sims’ public defender’s performance while initially representing him on the matter prejudiced his case. — Sofi Zeman august 24, Kansas City Star, 24 Aug. 2026 Miller’s arrest is part of a pattern, suggests Kelly Sullivan, an assistant federal public defender. — Charlotte Observer, 22 Aug. 2026 The judge overseeing the proceedings recently granted a motion from Elizabeth’s public defender Tommy Stolly seeking a mental health evaluation of the mother. — Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for public defender
Recent Examples of Synonyms for public defender
  1. district attorney
  2. trial lawyer
  3. criminal lawyer
  4. prosecuting attorney
  5. prosecutor
Noun
  • Worth district attorney who shot himself not far off-camera as the operation zeroed in on him.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026
  • But, after criticism from Mayor Karen Bass and others, the district attorney downgraded the counts to misdemeanors with a diversion agreement that will probably allow Flores to avoid any time behind bars.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of district attorney
Noun
  • In August, the State Department announced sanctions against ICC President Tomoko Akane of Japan and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye of Senegal over their involvement in the court’s investigation of Israel’s war in Gaza.
    — Howard LaFranchi, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The problem is that Kevin is not a trial lawyer and only has his intern niece Paige (Lana Condor) and partners Sal Maltese (Tone Bell) and Dottie Jones (Martha Kelly) to assist him.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of trial lawyer
Noun
  • True to the life of a much-sought-after criminal lawyer, Reddington has also represented prominent clients who weren't able to beat the charges against them.
    — Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Heather told me that a criminal lawyer advised her to invoke her Fifth Amendment privilege at the Holbrook trial.
    — Nikki Battiste, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of criminal lawyer
Noun
  • The Election Board then sends the recall to the King County prosecuting attorney's office for a technical review.
    — Zachary Fletcher, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026
  • McDonough plays the assistant attorney general and prosecuting attorney, a man of integrity who profoundly believes in the criminal justice system.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of prosecuting attorney
Noun
  • Minnesota prosecutors allege Castro fired through the front door of a Minneapolis home, striking Sosa-Celis while six people, including two children, were inside.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Minnesota prosecutors said the officer then falsely accused Sosa-Celis and another man of attacking an ICE officer with a broom handle and a snow shovel.
    — Alanna Durkin Richer, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of prosecutor

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Cite this Entry

“Public defender.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/public%20defender. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on public defender

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about public defender

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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