The Yakima County Public Defender's Juvenile Division in Washington provides constitutionally guaranteed legal defense services for indigent persons charged with crimes or brought into proceedings threatening the loss of personal liberty in the District and Superior Courts of Yakima County. This office has one Juvenile Division Attorney and other support staff that handles juvenile cases and other criminal cases. The DAC maintains Yakima County's centrally administered public defender delivery system and provides defense services. The roles and responsibilities of the Juvenile Division are to provide legal representation, consultation, and advice to clients, represent clients through criminal investigative proceedings, create a defense plan, conduct investigative legal research, and interview the necessary clients and witnesses, work closely with clients, discuss relevant information and strategies. The right to counsel guaranteed to every American citizen accused of a crime is embodied in the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution and made applicable to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment. An individual must apply for a public defender by completing a detailed financial statement and agreeing to provide documentation concerning income, assets and debts. For information about who qualifies for representation by the Public Defender's office and how and when you can apply, please visit their website.