Public Defenders appear for legally assisted persons who have been charged with serious criminal offences. A legally assisted person is someone who has been granted legal aid by Legal Aid NSW, the Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT or another community legal service. Public Defenders are appointed as independent statutory officers by the Governor of NSW under the Public Defenders Act 1995 (“the Act”). We do not provide general legal advice to the public. If you need legal help, contact LawAccess NSW on 1300 888 529.