The Douglas County Public Defender's Office, located in Omaha, Nebraska, is responsible for representing individuals whom the Court has determined cannot afford to hire an attorney and who are involved in a variety of legal matters. With one Chief Public Defender and more than 50 attorneys referred to as Assistant Public Defenders working together, the office helps clients with a variety of legal cases which does not involve issues like Divorce, Child Custody, Adoption, and Small claims lawsuits. Specifically, Nebraska Statutes provide that it shall be the duty of the Public Defender to represent all indigent persons who are charged with a felony or misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment or when a Petition has been filed before the Douglas County Board of Mental Health. In addition to these statutory duties, the Douglas County Public Defender's Office also represents parents and juveniles in the Douglas County Juvenile Court and individuals appearing before a Child Support Referee on child support or paternity action. Individuals may contact the organization directly or work through an attorney for more information or file a claim.