The attorneys and other staff employed by the Office of the Public Defender provide legal services to individuals who cannot afford to hire the services of a private attorney. The following are services we provide as well as those we do not.

• Provides indigent defendants their constitutionally guaranteed right to representation when in a court of law
• Defends persons accused of felonious crimes, including homicide and death penalty cases
• Represents clients in developmentally disabled and conservatorship cases
• Represents juveniles in delinquency cases
• Defends persons charged with misdemeanor offenses
• Provides program support in the form of legal research, investigative services, and administration

• Cases other than criminal - Generally speaking, if you are being sued, evicted, or have a worker's compensation claim, etc., you may qualify for assistance from other agencies.
• Traffic ticket representation - The Public Defender's Office does not represent individuals charged with violations punishable only by a fine. Some traffic offenses (e.g., driving under the influence, reckless driving, hit and run, driving on a suspended license) are misdemeanors; however, the Public Defender's Office may represent you on these offenses only if you cannot financially afford to hire an attorney.