The Yuma County Public Defender's Office protects the constitutional rights and liberties of all persons whose causes have been entrusted to them, by providing superior legal, ethical, and timely representation. The office has one Public Defender, one Supervising Deputy Public Defender and 11 Deputy Public Defenders. The Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees the rights of criminal defendants, including the right to a public trial without unnecessary delay and the right to a lawyer. The privilege of offering representation to those in need is the reason why the law has offered public defense services. The court appoints the Public Defender Agency to clients who are below certain financial limits and who are entitled to representation. However, representation is provided in limited cases without a court appointment. As public defenders, the office is dedicated to the principles of equal opportunity under the law and fair representation. Deputies and staff are committed to practices which assist the public defender in achieving these principles as effectively and efficiently as possible, in a manner which upholds the dignity of its clients. For more information on the services provided by this office, please contact them directly.