Public Defender

The Public Defender represents, without additional compensation, any person who is determined by the Court to be indigent, as provided in Section 27.52, Florida Statutes, and who is charged with a felony or criminal misdemeanor, or as a delinquent child, pursuant to a petition filed before a circuit court, Baker Act, and any other person the Court may designate. Funds are provided for costs of communications, office supplies, and uncapitalized equipment. Most costs associated with the Public Defender have been assumed by the State, effective July 1, 2004. The expenses in this budget are for technology needs for the Public Defender’s Office.

The legislature increased the fees of documents that are recorded by the Clerk of the Court by $4 per page. The counties receive $2 of that amount to fund court-related technology and court technology needs for the State trial courts, State Attorney, Public Defender, and Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Council in that county.

Core Services

Public Defenders are lawyers who practice only criminal law. The Public Defender is responsible for protecting the constitutional and statutory rights of all citizens through the effective criminal legal representation of Court-appointed clients. According to the Constitution of the State of Florida, Article V, the County is mandated to fund the information technology needs for the Public Defender. This financial data can be found on the Court Technology - Administration page.