How to apply for a layer

Posted on Mar 12, 2026 in Main

The Office of the Public Defender will provide legal services to any person who is financially unable to obtain a private attorney according to the indigency guidelines, and:

  1. who has been arrested for, charged with, or convicted of an offense or offenses punishable by imprisonment.
  2. who has been arrested for or charged with a law or ordinance violation for which such person may be or is subject to the provisions of Chapter 571, Hawai`i Revised Statutes (under which a minor may be adjudicated a law violator).
  3. whose probations or parole may be revoked.
  4. whose liberty is threatened by confinement, against his or her will, in any psychiatric or other mental institution or facility.
  5. who is the subject of a petition for involuntary outpatient treatment; or
  6. who is otherwise entitled by law to be represented by legal counsel (e.g.  Expedited Sentencing Program, Act 316, 1993 Session Laws).