The Howard County Public Defender's Office is located in Ellicott City, Maryland. With one District Public Defender, one Deputy District Public Defender, and one Supervisor in the District Court, this Public Defender's office specializes in legal representation for indigent clients with criminal, juvenile, parental defense, and involuntary commitment proceedings in Howard County. Its mission is to advocate for securing justice, protecting civil rights, and preserving liberty. 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 the person and the person’s spouse, if any. This information generally is provided to a court employee who reviews the financial information and makes a recommendation to the judge on whether or not the person is eligible for government-paid counsel. For information about who qualifies for representation by the Public Defender's office and how and when you can apply, please use the contact information on the right-hand side of the page.