Public Defender Services
San Luis Obispo Defenders
The County of San Luis Obispo is required to provide public legal representation for individuals charged with a crime in state court who are unable to afford a private attorney. Public defender services may also be provided to juveniles and in conservatorship cases.
These services are provided through contracts with three legal firms that provide primary, conflict, and secondary conflict public defender services. When all three firms have a case-related conflict, the County reimburses attorneys appointed by the Court from the criminal defense bar. The County also contracts for specialized legal defense services for mentally disordered offenders at Atascadero State Hospital.
