Public Defender Services Commission

PUBLIC DEFENDER SERVICES COMMISSION

http://www.ocpd.state.ct.us AGENCY PURPOSE  To ensure the constitutional administration Diversionary Programs, Drug Intervention, of criminal justice within the state criminal court Alternatives to Incarceration and Team Child system by maintaining a public defender office at all programs. juvenile and adult court locations throughout the  To provide a balanced advocacy perspective state. within the criminal justice community by participation  To provide legal representation to indigent accused on state policy boards, task forces, and committees children and adults in criminal trials and appeals, extradition involved in addressing criminal and juvenile justice proceedings, habeas corpus proceedings arising from a criminal issues. matter, delinquency and juvenile post-conviction matters,  To fulfill the state’s constitutional obligation Psychiatric Security Review Board cases, post-conviction to provide counsel for indigent accused in a petitions for DNA testing, and to convicted persons seeking professional, effective and cost efficient manner. exoneration through the Connecticut Innocence Project.  To ensure that all indigent children and  To provide in-house social work services to adults involved in child welfare matter in the superior indigent juvenile and adult clients as an integral part court receive competent representation. of the legal defense team for purposes of diversion, sentence mitigation, and formulation of alternatives  To provide qualified guardian ad litem to incarceration proposal representation for children involved in family court cases.  To contribute to public safety initiatives by participation in the development of specialized  To provide representation for contemnors in programs that promote successful reentry through support enforcement cases. reduced violence, homelessness and recidivism by utilizing Domestic Violence Courts, Community Courts,

B - 1 Judicial Public Defender Services Commission