Final answer:
A public defender is a court-appointed public official who represents indigent defendants, ensuring their right to legal representation as established by the Gideon v. Wainwright case. A) A public official appointed by the court to represent indigent defendants.
Step-by-step explanation:
A public defender is a public official appointed by the court to represent indigent defendants, which is answer choice A) A public official appointed by the court to represent indigent defendants.
This role is distinct from appointed counsel, who could be attorneys required to represent poor defendants on a pro bono basis or those paid by the state. The landmark case of Gideon v. Wainwright established that defendants in criminal cases have the right to legal representation, even if they cannot afford one. This decision extends to all levels of courts, and those who cannot afford representation are either provided a public defender or an appointed counsel to ensure their right to a fair trial.