About the Office of the
Maricopa County Public Defender

"Delivering America's Promise of Justice for All"

James Haas, Maricopa County Public Defender

 

VISION STATEMENT

To deliver America's promise of justice for all.

MISSION STATEMENT

The Office of the Public Defender protects the fundamental rights of all individuals, by providing effective legal representation for indigent people facing criminal charges, juvenile adjudications, and mental health commitments, when appointed by Maricopa County Superior and Justice Courts.

STRATEGIC GOALS

- TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF OUR CLIENTS AND GUARANTEE THAT THEY RECEIVE EQUAL PROTECTION UNDER THE LAW, REGARDLESS OF RACE, CREED, NATIONAL ORIGIN OR SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS

- TO OBTAIN AND PROMOTE DISPOSITIONS THAT ARE EFFECTIVE IN REDUCING RECIDIVISM, IMPROVING CLIENTS' WELL-BEING AND ENHANCING QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL

- TO ENSURE THAT ALL ETHICAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES & MANDATES ARE FULFILLED

- TO ENHANCE THE PROFESSIONALISM AND PRODUCTIVITY OF ALL STAFF

- TO PRODUCE THE MOST RESPECTED & WELL-TRAINED ATTORNEYS IN THE CRIMINAL DEFENSE COMMUNITY

- TO WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OTHER AGENCIES TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO JUSTICE AND DEVELOP RATIONAL JUSTICE SYSTEM POLICIES

- TO ACHIEVE RECOGNITION AS AN EFFECTIVE AND DYNAMIC LEADER AMONG ORGANIZATIONS RESPONSIBLE FOR LEGAL REPRESENTATION OF INDIGENT PEOPLE

- TO PERFORM OUR OBLIGATIONS IN A FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE MANNER

WHAT IS A PUBLIC DEFENDER?

Public Defenders are attorneys appointed by the court to represent any person not financially able to employ counsel for offenses triable in superior or justice courts.

Misdemeanors	Felonies
Probation violations	Extradition hearings
Appeals/post-conviction relief hearings	Juvenile dependency proceedings
Juvenile delinquency/incorrigibility proceedings	Involuntary commitment hearings
Sanity hearings

OFFICE LOCATIONS