The phrase "poor defendants" refers to individuals who do not have enough money to hire a private attorney and instead have to rely on a court-appointed lawyer. Full definition
That could steer money away from appeals of death sentences for poor defendants. (blog.psjd.org)
Although poor defendants in criminal courts are entitled to court - appointed lawyers, people in immigration courts are not. (blog.psjd.org)
A while back, two of my colleagues were arguing about which is a bigger problem in the criminal justice system: bias against defendants of color or bias against poor defendants. (lawyerist.com)