If you have been arrested and remain in jail, you will be contacted by a member of our staff within 72 hours of your arrest.   If you have a family member who has been arrested and not yet spoken with our staff, please tell him/her to fill out a contact form, available at the jail, requesting to speak with the Public Defender's Office (and tell him/her not to speak with the police before speaking with us).  When you meet with our staff, you will be required to complete an application for services that will be used to determine if you meet the financial criteria for our services.  If you have been arrested and are released on bond prior to meeting with our staff, you should immediately download and complete the Application For Public Defender's Services and bring it to the Public Defender's office located in the county where you are charged.  These offices are located in LaFayette, Trenton, Summerville and Ringgold. 

If you are unable to print the form, one will be provided to you at our office.  In connection with your application, the law requires the payment of $50.00 application fee, however that fee may be waived by the judge if you are unable to pay.  Please do not delay in contacting our office, even if you are unable to pay the $50.00 at that time--we will still begin working on your case if you qualify for services.  It is important that you come in to our office as soon as you are released from jail--do not wait until the day you must appear in court or our ability to defend your case will be impaired.

The Constitution guarantees your right to remain silent before and after you are arrested.  If you are questioned by the police they will use any information they obtain to prosecute you in court.  It is therefore very important that you do not discuss your charges or the facts of your case with anyone--especially any law enforcement officer--before consulting with your lawyer.  If you are questioned by the police you should tell them that you wish to consult with an attorney and insist upon this right if they continue to question you.  The police officer will often promise you easier treatment if you cooperate or speak with him first--you should still insist upon first discussing the matter with an attorney to be sure your rights are protected.  If you disregard this important advice you will almost certainly make it more difficult to defend your case in court.