D4vd has undergone a major change in his legal defense as he continues facing serious criminal charges in connection with the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.

The singer, whose real name is David Burke, appeared in court Monday, August 31, where his private attorneys asked to withdraw from the case.

Attorney Blair Berk told the court that D4vd was seeking representation from the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office after he was determined to qualify for appointed counsel.

The request was granted, clearing the way for the public defender’s office to take over his defense.

D4vd had previously been represented by a private legal team that included Berk, Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter.

During Monday’s hearing, Berk and Bednarski formally requested permission to withdraw.

According to reporting from the New York Post, the move came after D4vd apparently could no longer afford to continue paying for his private defense team.

His former attorneys later released a statement confirming that the court had approved their withdrawal and appointed the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office after determining D4vd qualified for appointed representation.

The attorneys said they continue to support him as he fights the charges and praised the public defender’s office as a capable team.

The case is now expected to return to court for a status conference on October 19.

The Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office also issued a statement acknowledging the seriousness of the allegations while emphasizing D4vd’s constitutional right to a defense.

The office said it recognizes the loss of life at the center of the case and expressed sympathy for those grieving Celeste’s death.

At the same time, the office stressed that D4vd is entitled to attorneys who will carefully examine the evidence and circumstances surrounding the charges.

The change in representation does not indicate guilt or innocence and does not mean D4vd’s former attorneys withdrew because of the strength of the prosecution’s case.

The case began after authorities discovered Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s body inside the trunk of D4vd’s impounded Tesla in September 2025.

D4vd was later arrested in April 2026 and charged with first-degree murder, child sexual abuse and unlawful mutilation, according to reporting cited by The Shade Room.

He has not been convicted of any of the charges and is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty in court.

The investigation has continued to draw national attention because of D4vd’s music career and the circumstances surrounding Celeste’s death.

The legal shakeup comes after months of developments surrounding the case.

Prosecutors have previously referenced alleged communications between D4vd and Celeste as part of the investigation, while his defense has continued preparing to challenge the government’s evidence.

D4vd also made headlines more recently after an unauthorized track reportedly appeared on his Apple Music account and seemed to reference Celeste.

There is no indication that the song was actually uploaded by D4vd himself.

For now, his criminal case moves forward with an entirely new defense team.