A real defense for the people the court appoints to us.
The Alternate Public Defender is a division of the Public Defender Service Corporation. We give people who cannot afford a private attorney the same standard of defense as anyone else, in the cases the courts send us.
Who we are
The Alternate Public Defender was established in October 2004 as a division of the Public Defender Service Corporation. We replaced the Associated Defense Advocate office to reduce the cost of legal services and provide representation for indigent defense and juvenile matters to the Government of Guam.
When the Public Defender Division cannot take a case because of a conflict of interest, the work comes to us. The standard of defense does not change. Our attorneys carry the same obligations to a client and a case as a private attorney would.
The cases the conflict sends our way.
We represent adults and juveniles across the Superior Court of Guam, and we carry those cases through appeal when the law calls for it.
Adult criminal defense
Representation for adults charged with misdemeanors and felonies in the Superior Court of Guam.
Juvenile and PINS cases
Defense for minors in juvenile proceedings, including Petitions for Persons in Need of Services.
Appeals and writs
Appeals and writ proceedings that protect the constitutional rights of the people we represent.
You do not hire this office.
The Superior Court of Guam appoints us. Here is the path a case takes to our desk.
The court reviews
The court determines you cannot afford a private attorney and that the Public Defender has a conflict of interest.
The court appoints us
The Superior Court of Guam appoints the Alternate Public Defender to represent you, at no cost to you.
We begin your defense
You meet your assigned attorney and the work starts. Reach the office during business hours with any questions.