Federal Public Defender for the Northern & Southern Districts of Iowa’s Cedar Rapid Office

The Federal Public Defender for the Northern & Southern Districts of Iowa's Cedar Rapid Office consists of Four Assistant Federal Public Defenders that provide legal assistance to people who are facing criminal charges (or potential charges) in federal court, and who are unable to afford a lawyer to represent them. The Assistant Federal Public Defender (AFPD) cannot represent you in any manner without appointment by the magistrate. When all aspects of this appointment have been completed, you will receive a letter from the AFPD in your case indicating that this office’s representation is complete and the file will be closed. The office’s lawyers represent clients charged with a wide variety of crimes in federal court. The most common charges involve drugs, firearms, fraud, or child pornography. The decision whether to appoint a lawyer for someone who is facing criminal charges in federal court is normally made by a United States Magistrate Judge. Lawyers in the Office of the Federal Public Defender cannot give legal advice to anyone unless the court has approved the appointment of an attorney. Legal advice and representation must be limited to those matters related to the criminal charge for which an attorney was appointed. For more information on the services of Federal Public Defender for the Northern & Southern Districts of Iowa's Cedar Rapid Office, please contact them directly.