Abstract

The article presents changes introduced by the amendment to the Code of Criminal Proceedings of 27 September 2013 with respect to the public defender. The author discusses the grounds for appointing such defender in preparatory and court proceedings. The comments concern appointment of public defence due to impecuniosity, age and mental health of the defendant, as well as other circumstances which make defence difficult. The article describes the new institution of defender appointed upon defendant’s request in court proceedings and critically views the fact that there is no such opportunity in preparatory proceedings.