Strengthening Ties to the Community

In addition to its constitutional responsibilities and duties, the Public Defender’s Office educates and empowers by participating with the office partners in pro-active, educational and strategic planning groups. Just as important, Public Defender employees strengthen ties to the community by actively participating, on their own time, in programs and activities that improve the quality of our everyday life. This list highlights some of those efforts.
 

Educational Resources for adults and youth

Law-related Education

• The Public Defender’s Office sends volunteers to speak at schools and community meetings to inform the public about criminal justice issues, substance abuse, HIV, mental illness, juvenile delinquency, mental retardation and violence prevention. (Volunteer here) (Calendared Events)
• The Public Defender’s Office participates in informational cable and radio shows to inform our community about the role of the Public Defender’s Office, individual rights and responsibilities, the criminal justice system, rehabilitation, mental health, substance abuse, public safety, jury selection, violence prevention, civil rights, and the connection between school failure and juvenile delinquency. (Calendared Appearances)
• Hispanic Crime Prevention Program — The Public Defender’s Office participates in radio, television programs presented by this program at Florida International University serving the Spanish-speaking community. We also expect to contribute articles to its monthly newsletter.
• The Florida Bar Speaker’s Bureau — The Public Defender’s Office provides attorney volunteers to speak to civic groups and schools about the legal system and the role lawyers play in providing access to the justice system.
• The Legal and Public Affairs Magnet Program at Miami Senior High School — The Public Defender’s Office serves on the program’s advisory board, facilitates law week programs and provide speakers to acquaint the students with the judicial process, the role of the Public Defender’s Office, and the office’s constitutional and professional duties.
• YMCA Youth Judicial Project — Volunteer Assistant Public Defender’s donate time and money to this project. Student participants learn the components of a criminal trial in preparation of mock trial competition. The contest, judged by real judges, affords students a positive learning experience about the justice system and fosters high academic and career goals. It also enables youth to establish relationships with professional role models.
• Jail TV — The Public Defender’s Office sponsors a closed-circuit weekly call-in talk show for inmates housed in Miami-Dade County jails.

Professional Development

• The Public Defender’s Office partners with organizations to provide law students and professionals opportunities in the criminal and juvenile justice system: Lawyers from the Public Defender’s Office volunteer their own time at local law schools (University of Miami, St. Thomas University and Nova Southeastern University) serving as coaches and judges in law school-sponsored competitions.
• The Public Defender’s Office participates in guardianship certification and training sessions regarding Baker Act, mental illness and developmental disabilities for various organizations, including public and private mental health facilities, colleges and universities, consumer groups, Dade County Public School system and psychological associations.
• Through its internship programs, the Public Defender’s Office trains, mentors and supervises high school, college and law school students.

Job Training and Placement

• The Public Defender's Office accepts referrals and trains clients from two job-training agencies, the Greater Miami Service Corporation and Jobs for Miami. The work experience they gain in clerical positions can help them eventually obtain permanent jobs.
• Transition, Inc. — Our office refers clients to this program that provides job training and helps find work for people charged with felonies.
• Senior Aides Program — Through a unique partnership with the Hispanic Community Center of Miami Beach, the Public Defender’s Office provides training and work experience for a senior citizen part-time clerk in the Juvenile Social Services Unit.
• Summer Youth Employment Program — Our office provides work experience for students interested in criminal justice careers.

Community Service

• Advisory Boards (Public and Not-for-profit) — The Public Defender and employees participate in an advisory capacity with numerous agencies and organizations (list of Boards).
• Adopt a Family (holiday family support) — The Public Defender's Office participates in the Neighbors 4 Neighbors Adopt-A-Family program, helping local families have a brighter holiday season.
• Hands On Miami — Public Defender employees and their families participate on their own time in local efforts to beautify public schools and make our community a better place to live and work.
• Blood donation drives — The Public Defender's Office donates blood twice a year in cooperation with the Community Blood Centers of South Florida, which is affiliated with the American Red Cross.
• Food drives — The office conducts food drives during the holidays and for disaster relief.
• Toy drives — The office solicits donations of toys for needy families
• Book drives — The office solicits donations of books for children and adolescents in state custody
• Habitat for Humanity — Public Defender employees and their families volunteer to help build homes and better futures for low-income families in Miami Dade.

Charitable Events

The office conducts a year-round fund-raising campaign among its employees for United Way of Greater Miami

Employees participate in numerous fund-raising events, including March of Dimes Walk-a-thon, Juvenile Diabetes Walk-a-thon, AIDS Walk, American Cancer Walk-a-thon and the Corporate Run (which benefits leukemia victims)