What is a public defender?
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Article 12, Paragraph 4 of the Constitution Anyone who is arrested or detained has the right to be assisted by a lawyer immediately. However, if the criminal accused is unable to obtain an attorney by himself, the state appoints an attorney in accordance with the Act.
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Pursuant to the Constitution, all citizens have the right to appoint an attorney as their defense counsel when they become a criminal defendant (the one who has been indicted) who is arrested or detained for matters such as criminal proceedings. However, there are cases where the accused cannot appoint an attorney due to difficult economic circumstances. 국선변호사 선임
On the other hand, lawyers appointed by the accused or his relatives, etc., are referred to as private lawyers. 좋은뉴스
When a public defender is appointed
If there is no attorney in any of the following cases, the Korean court must appoint an attorney ex officio (Article 33 Paragraph 1 of the Criminal Procedure Act).
When the accused is arrested
When the accused is a minor
When the accused is over 70 years of age
When the accused is deaf
When the accused is suspected of having a mental or physical disorder
When the accused is prosecuted for a case punishable by death penalty, life imprisonment or imprisonment for a term of 3 years or more
How to Request Appointment of Public Defender
Along with the delivery of the copy of the indictment book to the accused, the court also provides a notice regarding the appointment of a public defender. Since the ‘claim form’ is printed, fill in the blanks, sign or seal (unsigned), and promptly (within 7 days from the date of receipt of the notice at the latest, within 20 days from the date of receipt of the notice of receipt of litigation in the case of the appeals court at the latest) to the court. Submit it.
The defendant’s legal representative, spouse, lineal relatives, and siblings may also independently request the appointment of a public defender.
Source: https://help.scourt.go.kr/nm/min_16/min_16_2/index.html
You can apply through the following Supreme Court public defender support system.