The Rensselaer County Public Defender's Office is located in Troy, NY. With one Public Defender, Staff Attorneys and other support staff, the Rensselaer County Public Defender's Office provides legal representation to indigent defendants in Rensselaer County who cannot pay for private counsel and who are at risk of losing their liberty if convicted. 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 roles and responsibilities of the Rensselaer County Public Defender's Office are to provide legal representation, consultation, and advice to clients, represent clients through criminal investigative proceedings, create a defense plan, conduct legal investigative research, and interview the necessary clients and witnesses, work closely with clients, discuss relevant information and strategies. 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. If the court has assigned a public defender to your case in Rensselaer County, please contact their office for assistance.