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1. How do I get a public defender to represent me? Where do I go?

You will have to ask the judge to appoint the Office of the Public Defender to represent you. Whether or not the judge appoints an attorney to represent you will depend on how serious the charges are and whether the judge believes that you could afford to hire your own attorney. If you ask for an attorney, you will probably be asked questions about your financial situation. In order to request an attorney, you should contact the clerk of the county court who will schedule you before a judge.

2. Where is your office? How do I get there?

The Public Defender's Office is located at:
The Courthouse Plaza
633 S 9th Street
Lincoln, NE  68508

3. Do I need a Public Defender to file for divorce, work out child support, or solve landlord/tenant problems?

The Public Defender is only appointed to represent people in criminal matters, including:

• Appeals to the Nebraska Court of Appeals and Nebraska Supreme Court
• Felonies
• Juvenile court
• Mental health hearings
• Misdemeanors

Legal Services

To receive help on divorce matters or landlord/tenant problems, you will need to contact Legal Services of Southeast Nebraska, located at 825 Terminal Building (10^th and O Streets). Their phone number is 402-435-2161. If you are in court for a contempt action for failure to pay child support, you will need to ask for a court-appointed attorney at your first court hearing before the District Court Referee. If you qualify, the Referee will recommend to the District Judge that an attorney be appointed to represent you and you will be given further information on who your attorney will be.

4. I forgot my court date, how do I find out when it is?

If you have just been arraigned in County Court, and the Public Defender is appointed, you will be given a sheet of paper which lists the date, time and location of your next court appearance. If you do not have that available, you can call the Public Defender's Office, 402-441-7631 and our receptionist will be happy to look it up for you. If the Public Defender's Office does not represent you, you may call the Clerk of the county Court.