Hey, I need some advice on getting a public defender for my DUI case. I had my first court date and they told me I need to get a lawyer, but I can’t afford one. I’m from Spring Valley, NY. Does anyone know how I can apply for a public defender for my case? It’s all happening in December. I speak Spanish too, so would that be an issue?
Yeah, they usually give you the option to get a public defender if you can’t afford a lawyer. Just make sure to ask at your next court date. They’ll have an interpreter too, no worries.
Denny said:
Yeah, they usually give you the option to get a public defender if you can’t afford a lawyer. Just make sure to ask at your next court date. They’ll have an interpreter too, no worries.
That’s right, they’ll help you with everything. Just fill out a form, and they’ll contact you to see if you qualify.
I had a similar situation in NY. I just went to the court and filled out a form for a public defender. You’ll get a call from them to confirm. Hope it works out for you!
Bao said:
I had a similar situation in NY. I just went to the court and filled out a form for a public defender. You’ll get a call from them to confirm. Hope it works out for you!
Make sure to check the form for language options too. They’ll help you in Spanish if you need it.
Here’s the link for the public defender in Rockland County: Public Defender Client Questionnaire. You can switch it to Spanish at the top. Good luck!
Is the court giving you a Spanish interpreter for your hearing? If not, you can ask for one at your next court date.
Flynn said:
Is the court giving you a Spanish interpreter for your hearing? If not, you can ask for one at your next court date.
Yeah, they should provide one, especially since you’re in NY. Don’t stress about the language barrier.
Just FYI, if you want a public defender, the judge will ask you at your next hearing. You just have to fill out a form and see if you qualify.