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FUTURE REDEMPTION WORKSHOP
The next
upcoming workshop
will be announced soon.
Please check here for future dates.
For detailed information on our Redemption
Workshop for sealing and expunging criminal records please
click here.
Para información detallada sobre nuestro programa “Día
del Perdon” por favor oprima aqui. |
Welcome to our office website.
My name is Carlos J. Martinez,
your elected Public Defender for Miami-Dade County.
The Public Defender is appointed by judges to represent clients
in criminal, juvenile and mental health matters in Florida's courts.
Miami-Dade County is the 11th judicial circuit of Florida, the
largest and busiest of Florida’s 20 judicial circuits. We are
responsible for defending individuals who face the loss of their
liberty and are determined by the court to be unable to pay for a
private attorney.
On our site, you will find information about the criminal justice
system, our responsibilities, qualifications and experience, as well
as the innovative and cost-effective programs that we have
instituted.
We have a team of nearly 200 attorneys (assistant public
defenders) and an equal number of support staff to handle
approximately 90,000 cases each year. I'm proud of all that we have
accomplished with very limited resources over the years. This is as
fine a group of people as you'll find anywhere. Most could be making
far more money in the private sector, but they see their calling in
public service.
Our nationally recognized training program is designed to ensure
the development of effective and ethical advocates for our clients.
More than 40 of our former lawyers have become judges. We recruit
locally and nationally with just one goal in mind: Putting together
a diverse team of outstanding men and women from all racial and
ethnic backgrounds who can do the best job possible on behalf of our
clients and the residents and taxpayers of Miami-Dade County.
While our primary responsibility is to indigent clients facing
the loss of their liberty, my staff and I are very much involved in
helping make this a safer community for everyone who lives, works
and visits South Florida. Along this line, I encourage you to read
the brief descriptions on this web-site of our innovative programs,
including our Anti-Violence Initiative,
Community Involvement and
Partnerships, and International Cooperation Project.
Thank you,
Carlos J. Martinez
Miami-Dade Public Defender
11th Judicial Circuit of Florida
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