Contact the SPD office that serves the county where your case is located
A staff person in the local SPD office will work with you to fill out the financial eligibility form. The application process typically takes about 15 minutes, although in some cases you may need to provide additional documentation in order to verify your information.
SPD will determine your eligibility
All adult applicants for SPD representation are required by state law to meet financial guidelines in order to qualify for appointment of an attorney by the SPD, except in proceedings under Chapters 51, 55, and 980.
Our process to determine eligibility considers your:
Receive a public defender or apply with the court
If you qualify for a public defender, SPD will assign an attorney to represent you. The attorney will either be an SPD staff attorney or a private attorney certified by SPD to provide representation.
If you do not qualify for a public defender, you can apply to receive an attorney paid for by the county. SPD staff can provide information regarding the process for seeking a court-appointed attorney in the local county.