Jefferson County Public Defender

The Jefferson County Public Defender represents indigent residents accused of crimes by identifying and addressing injustice in the policies and systems that affect the lives of individuals impacted by the criminal justice system. To ensure positive and meaningful outcomes for its clients, they identify these issues and advocate for systemic change, not just in the courtroom, but with the media, and other state and local entities. Their priorities include such as unbiased policing and arrest practices, reasonable charging of crime, decriminalization of public health issues, risk-based pretrial determinations, accurate fact-finding & forensics, proportional punishment, access to appropriate treatment, realistic opportunities for reentry. The Public Defender's goal is to provide the highest quality of representation to their clients regardless of their ability to pay for their services. The Jefferson County Public Defender’s Office will provide services to clients in the Jefferson County Criminal and Juvenile Courts to people who cannot afford to retain counsel.  The ability to pay for retained counsel is determined by the judge before the Office is appointed.