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the state provides legal counsel for defendants who have been determined by a judge as financially unable to hire their own attorney. There are 11 public defenders in the state, and 121 assistant public defenders representing indigent people in 13 counties. (If the person is found guilty, he must repay the state). The senior resident Superior Court judge appoints a public defender to a four-year term. In the remaining counties, representation is provided by private attorneys.

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