Legal Definitions - appointed counsel

Definition: Appointed counsel refers to an attorney who is assigned by the court to represent a person who cannot afford to hire their own lawyer. This is also known as assigned counsel.

Example: If someone is accused of a crime but cannot afford to pay for a lawyer, the court may appoint an attorney to represent them. This attorney is known as appointed counsel.

Explanation: Appointed counsel is provided to ensure that everyone has access to legal representation, regardless of their financial situation. The court appoints an attorney to represent the defendant in criminal cases, and the attorney is paid by the government. This ensures that the defendant receives a fair trial and is not at a disadvantage due to their inability to pay for a lawyer.