In 1988, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted to create an office with the mission of defending those people charged with crimes and who are unable to pay an attorney. That office is called the Public Defender.
On occasion more than one person is charged with the commission of the same crime. It would be a conflict of interest for the same office to represent all defendants charged in the case. As a result, the Board of Supervisors voted to create a second public defender office in 1990. This office is called the Alternate Public Defender. The APD is responsible for defending those cases where the Public Defender has a conflict of interest or is unable to defend the individual for various reasons.
APD MISSION STATEMENT: Ensure that the right to competent and effective defense counsel is a reality for the indigent in San Diego County by always seeking the best ethical and legal outcomes possible through skilled and vigorous representation.
|
