Courts

Chester County Public Defender

A Public Defender provides legal representation to individuals in criminal cases who cannot afford to hire their own attorney. They are experienced lawyers who advocate for their clients' rights, ensuring a fair trial and due process under the law. This includes investigating cases, negotiating with prosecutors, representing clients in court, and if necessary, handling appeals.

Notice

If you're a defendant in a criminal case, you have the right to an attorney. If you can't afford one and would like a Public Defender, please contact our office.
Call (803) 385-3232
On This Page

  • Hours

    8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
    Monday - Friday

  • Location Address

    140 Main Street
    Chester, SC 29706

  • Mailing Address

    PO Box 132
    Chester, SC 29706

  • Phone

    (803) 385-3232

  • Fax

    (844) 320-0291

  • Chief Public Defender

    William P. Frick

  • Assistant

    Amanda Huey

PUBLIC DEFENDER Responsibilities + Services

Public Defenders Perform the Following

  • Investigating court cases
  • Representing defendants in court
  • Negotiating on the defendant's behalf
  • Handling appeals, if necessary

Your Rights to a Public Defender

Criminal Cases

Defendants in criminal proceedings have a right to a lawyer and are entitled to have counsel appointed at government expense if they are financially unable to obtain adequate representation by private counsel. For more information on how to obtain a public defender (lawyer), contact our office at (803) 385-3232.

Civil Cases Do Not Apply

There is no right to free legal assistance in civil proceedings. Some litigants proceed pro se; that is, they represent themselves before the court. It is common for litigants in Magistrates' Civil and Small Claims cases to act as their own attorneys.

Public Defender System: Things to Know

Sixteen (16) Judicial Circuits in South Carolina

South Carolina's public defender system is based on the state's 16 judicial circuits. Each judicial circuit has a Circuit Public Defender who has full responsibility for the administration of public defender services in each of the counties within the circuit.

Appointed 4-Year Terms

Circuit Public Defenders are appointed to the position for four-year terms by the South Carolina Commission on Indigent Defense upon nomination to the position by a Selection Panel consisting of attorneys representing each of the counties within the circuit.

Employed by the State of South Carolina

Circuit Public Defenders are employees of the State of South Carolina. Funding for each circuit comes from the State of South Carolina and from each of the counties within a circuit. The circuit public defender system replaced a system of non-profit defender corporations with the passage of the South Carolina Indigent Defense Act of 2007.