Criminal Cases

If you are a victim of a crime, see our dedicated page for Victims of Crime.

If you are a defendant in a criminal case (you are being accused of a crime), and you cannot afford an attorney to represent you:

• You may request a public defender to represent you free of charge in certain cases.  A public defender is a lawyer who is assigned cases of people who cannot afford to pay for their own lawyer.  Public defenders are only available in criminal cases, not in civil cases or cases in immigration court.  More information is available on the Office of the Public Defender website

If you are a defendant in a criminal case (you are being accused of a crime), and you want help finding a private criminal law attorney that you will pay to represent you:

• Montgomery County Bar Association- Lawyer Referral Service - Provides referrals to private attorneys that handle many areas of law. Learn how to get a consultation, or browse a list of private attorneys by area of law practiced.