The Dallas County Public Defenders Office represents adults charged with criminal offenses. Public Defenders are appointed by the court in which a case is assigned. The Court determines whether a defendant is indigent (to poor to hire an attorney) and then whether to appoint a Public Defender or an attorney in private practice. The Public Defenders Office cannot represent individuals unless it is appointed by a court.

Adults charged with criminal offenses are represented by two sections of the Public Defenders Office. The Misdemeanor Section of the Office represents indigent defendants charged with misdemeanor offenses in Dallas County Criminal Courts. The Felony Section represents indigent defendants charged with felony offenses in Criminal or Judicial District Courts.