Kristi Egger
Democrat
Website: https://www.kristiegger.org/
Answers submitted online March 26, 2026, @ 9:33 PM
Lancaster County Public Defender E26 P26
Sarah Newell
Democrat
Website: https://newellforlancaster.com
03/26/26, 4:19pm, emailed information and access link 03/31/26, 12:16pm, text to inform opponent answered, resent access link
Job Description
How office affects the voter
Public Defenders provide legal support for those who cannot afford to hire a private attorney. Part of county tax dollars covers this expense. According to State Statute, "(3)Indigent shall mean the inability to retain legal counsel without prejudicing one's financial ability to provide economic necessities for one's self or one's family."
Duties and Responsibilities
The size of the county often determines some responsibilities. In larger counties, the public defender manages an office of personnel who fulfill the responsibilities of: 1) Representing indigent felony defendants all the way through an appeals process if needed. 2) Representing indigent persons against whom a petition has been filed with the mental health board. 3) Representing indigent misdemeanor defendants if punishable by imprisonment 4) Appoint needed assistant public defenders (must be lawyers), secretaries, law clerks, investigators, or other needed employees. Notes: In counties with less than 35,000 residents, the County Board can appoint a public defender when needed.
See Complete DescriptionJob Description
How office affects the voter
Public Defenders provide legal support for those who cannot afford to hire a private attorney. Part of county tax dollars covers this expense. According to State Statute, "(3)Indigent shall mean the inability to retain legal counsel without prejudicing one's financial ability to provide economic necessities for one's self or one's family."
Duties and Responsibilities
The size of the county often determines some responsibilities. In larger counties, the public defender manages an office of personnel who fulfill the responsibilities of: 1) Representing indigent felony defendants all the way through an appeals process if needed. 2) Representing indigent persons against whom a petition has been filed with the mental health board. 3) Representing indigent misdemeanor defendants if punishable by imprisonment 4) Appoint needed assistant public defenders (must be lawyers), secretaries, law clerks, investigators, or other needed employees. Notes: In counties with less than 35,000 residents, the County Board can appoint a public defender when needed.
Requirements for the position
Must be a registered voter. Must reside in the county for which they hold office, but does not need to be a resident of the county when they file for election. Must have been admitted to the practice of law in this state before they seek nomination. Note: for counties which do not have first class city or higher, the public defender may reside in an adjoining Nebraska county.
Other information
With the wide variety of cases and situations, the public defender must have ability to select and manage workers with wide ranges of abilities.
Term of office
Term of office is 4 years, with no term limits.
Partisan?
Candidates are nominated by their party in a primary election. Some smaller population counties have appointed, not elected, public defenders.
When election is held
Every four years, usually in a presidential election cycle, with some differences by county.
Links
How office affects the voter
Public Defenders provide legal support for those who cannot afford to hire a private attorney. Part of county tax dollars covers this expense. According to State Statute, "(3)Indigent shall mean the inability to retain legal counsel without prejudicing one's financial ability to provide economic necessities for one's self or one's family."
Duties and Responsibilities
The size of the county often determines some responsibilities. In larger counties, the public defender manages an office of personnel who fulfill the responsibilities of: 1) Representing indigent felony defendants all the way through an appeals process if needed. 2) Representing indigent persons against whom a petition has been filed with the mental health board. 3) Representing indigent misdemeanor defendants if punishable by imprisonment 4) Appoint needed assistant public defenders (must be lawyers), secretaries, law clerks, investigators, or other needed employees. Notes: In counties with less than 35,000 residents, the County Board can appoint a public defender when needed.
Requirements for the position
Must be a registered voter. Must reside in the county for which they hold office, but does not need to be a resident of the county when they file for election. Must have been admitted to the practice of law in this state before they seek nomination. Note: for counties which do not have first class city or higher, the public defender may reside in an adjoining Nebraska county.
Other information
With the wide variety of cases and situations, the public defender must have ability to select and manage workers with wide ranges of abilities.
Term of office
Term of office is 4 years, with no term limits.
Partisan?
Candidates are nominated by their party in a primary election. Some smaller population counties have appointed, not elected, public defenders.
When election is held
Every four years, usually in a presidential election cycle, with some differences by county.