Alaska Department of Administration
Public Defender Agency
Our mission is to provide constitutionally mandated legal representation to indigent clients appointed by the court.
Anyone accused of a crime that can result in incarceration is entitled to a lawyer. The right to counsel at public expense in criminal cases was established by the U.S. Supreme Court in Gideon v. Wainwright in 1963 as a requirement of the 6th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The 6th Amendment guarantees the right to a public trial without unnecessary delay, the right to a lawyer, the right to an impartial jury, and the right to confront your accuser, charges, and evidence against you. Because of that constitutional guarantee, federal and state governments must provide lawyers to those charged with crimes who are unable to afford counsel.
The Public Defender Agency represents individuals in criminal and child in need of aid cases only when appointed by the Court. If you want to request a public defender you will need to do so at your arraignment or reach out to your local Court to request one if you already were arraigned and did not request one.
The Court system Forms webpage includes information that you may find helpful:
• CR-204 Information For Defendants About Getting A Court-Appointed Attorney
• CR-205 Court Form to Request Appointed Counsel
• CR 206 Financial Statement Form