Pflichtverteidiger
court-appointed defence lawyer
noun PFLIKHT-fer-tye-di-ger Rare
Usage Note
Pflichtverteidiger is a lawyer assigned by the court when the accused cannot afford or has not chosen one. Distinct from Wahlverteidiger (privately retained lawyer); the compound reflects Pflicht (duty) + Verteidiger (defender).
Examples
"Da er sich keinen Anwalt leisten konnte, wurde ihm ein Pflichtverteidiger zugewiesen."
Natural Translation
Since he could not afford a lawyer, a court-appointed defender was assigned to him.
Literal Translation
Since he himself no lawyer afford could, was him a duty-defender assigned.
Related Words
- Abmahnschreiben formal warning letter (demanding cessation of unlawful conduct)
- Abschiebung deportation
- Akteneinsicht access to files
- Amtsgericht local court
- Amtspflicht official duty; duty of care owed by a public official
- Anfechtungsklage action for annulment
- Angeklagte defendant
- Anhörung hearing; right to be heard (before a decision is made)
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