The Office of Public Defender, Sixteenth Judicial Circuit, came into existence in 1963 following the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Gideon v. Wainwright, 372 U.S. 335 (1963), holding that the United States Constitution required the state to supply lawyers for those criminal defendants who could not afford to hire counsel. Originally, the Public Defender’s responsibilities were to represent indigents accused of noncapital felonies. Through case law and statutes, the Public Defender’s duties have grown, and now include:
Representing every indigent citizen charged with a crime, felony or misdemeanor, in any case that involves the possibility of incarceration.
Representing juveniles charged with delinquency in the Juvenile Division of the circuit.
Representing indgient persons in civil commitment proceedings in the Circuit Court.
Representing indigent persons in civil commitment proceedings involving alleged sexually violent predators in cases arising in the circuit.
Representing persons who are appealing their convictions, involuntary commitments or delinquency adjudications.
The Public Defender is an equal opportunity employer. A person’s religion, age, gender, national origin, race, color or sexual preference has no bearing on hiring, promotion, compensation or benefits. An Affirmative Action plan is on file and available for review, as is information on the Americans With Disabilities Act.
Home | Contact Us | Locations | Procedures