The Vanderburgh County Public Defender Agency has been appointed to represent you in your case.  If you are out of custody, you MUST call the Public Defender’s Office at 812-435-5900 immediately.  A specific attorney will be assigned to your case as soon as possible.  If you do not make bond you will be notified of the name of your assigned attorney.  If you make bond and do not know which attorney has been assigned to your case you may contact the Agency at 812-435-5900 or go to https://public.courts.in.gov/mycase and find out who your attorney is.

It is important that your attorney be able to contact you.  It is your responsibility to provide us with addresses and telephone numbers where you may be reached.  (IF YOU ARE RELEASED FROM JAIL OR MOVE TO ANOTHER LOCATION CALL THE PUBLIC DEFENDER’S OFFICE IMMEDIATELY SO THAT WE HAVE YOUR MOST RECENT ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS.)  Failure to do so may result in you missing important court dates.

You must appear in court when ordered to do so or when requested by your attorney.  Frequently, additional court dates at which you need to appear are scheduled after your first appearance in court.  Your failure to appear for court dates or failure to maintain contact with your attorney will lead to the assumption that you do not need the assistance of a public defender and may result in the court granting the Agency’s motion to withdraw our appearance as your attorney.  In addition, failure to appear for your court dates may result in the court revoking your bond and issuing a warrant for your arrest.

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT, USE THAT RIGHT!  DO NOT TALK TO OR WRITE TO ANYONE ABOUT YOUR CASE.  ALSO REMEMBER THAT ALL VISITS AND PHONE CALLS AT THE JAIL ARE RECORDED.  YOU SHOULD SPEAK ONLY TO YOUR ATTORNEY OR A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER AGENCY ABOUT YOUR CASE.  “Anyone” means the police, the judge, the prosecutor, other attorneys, media, cell mates, friends and even family members.  Almost anyone may be used as a witness against you if you volunteer information about your case.

It may take several weeks to obtain a copy of the evidence which the State intends to use against you.  You will be provided a copy of the charging information and affidavit of probable cause shortly after the Agency’s appointment to your case.  However, obtaining additional information may take some time - so please be patient.  Your attorney will discuss the evidence with you at the appropriate time. Your attorney is not obligated to talk to any family or friends about your case and cannot without your permission.

** THE INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THIS WEBPAGE HAS BEEN PREPARED FOR GENERAL INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND NEITHER INTENDS NOR CONSTITUTES LEGAL ADVICE. THE INFORMATION ON THIS WEBPAGE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND MAY NOT BE THE MOST UP TO DATE. ACCESS OR USE OF THE INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THIS WEBPAGE, OR ANY OF THE LINKS OR RESOURCES CONTAINED WITHIN, DOES NOT ESTABLISH AN ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP WITH ANY LAWYER EMPLOYED OR CONTRACTED BY THE VANDERBURGH COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER AGENCY. THIS WEBPAGE CONTAINS LINKS TO OTHER THIRD-PARTY WEBSITES AND SERVICES. THE VANDERBURGH COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER AGENCY HAS NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CONTENT OR AVAILABILITY OF SUCH THIRD-PARTY WEBSITES OR SERVICES. **