Office of the Public Defender

Alternative Specialty Courts

Some clients of the Office of the Public Defender may recieve legal representation in specialty courts, depending on their circumstances and the charges with which they are accused.

Adult Drug Court allows for judicially supervised pretrial drug treatment programs available to some non-violent clients facing drug-related charges. Upon a client's successful completion of the program, charges are dropped.

Veterans Court allows for judicially monitored programs offering rehabilitation services for some veterans. Services include treatment for mental health issues and substance abuse, support from housing organizations, and mentorship from other veterans.

Clients with mental health issues or those involuntarily hospitalized under the Baker Act are represented by the Mental Health Unit. The Mental Health Unit is composed of dedicated attorneys, a social worker, and a paralegal to aid in client advocacy.

Appeals Court

Defendants convicted of criminal offenses in circuit court have a constitutional right to legal representation on direct appeal. In Palm Beach County, the Fourth District Court of Appeal has jurisdiction over those previously convicted.

County Court

County court is for adults accused of committing crimes punishible by up to one year of incarceration. Some examples of such accusations are driving without a license, battery, and driving under the influence of alcohol. Attorneys working within the County Division of the Office of the Public Defender represent the vast majority of clients charged with misdemeanors. These attorneys appear in court almost every day and are heavily involved in all aspects of their clients' cases. They work in collaboration with the Social Services and Mental Health Divisions when appropriate.

Felony Court

Felony court is for adults accused of committing crimes punishable by more than one year of incarceration. Attorneys working within the Felony Division of the Office of the Public Defender represent the vast majority of clients charged with felonies. Like attorneys working within the County Division, attorneys working within the Felony Division appear in court almost every day and are heavily involved in all aspects of their clients' cases. They work in collaboration with the Social Services and Mental Health Divisions when appropriate.

When the state opts to seek the death penalty or a client faces the possibility of life without parole, cases go to the Major Crimes Division. Highly experienced attorneys, investigators, and mitigation specialists handle these cases and often work with a variety of outside experts. In other instances, cases under the Felony Division's purview are handled by the Serious Crimes Division.

Youth Defense

A child younger than age 18 at the time of an alleged offense is considered a juvenile in Florida. Attorneys working within the Youth Defense Division of the Office of the Public Defender represent their young clients according to what is in these clients' best interests. This does not always align with what parents, judges, prosecutors, or probationary officers may feel to be in the best interests of juvenile defendants.