Who will I talk to at the Public Defenders Office?
The first person you are likely to see is an investigator who will determine your eligibility and then listen to your side of the story. The investigator will interview you to gather facts about your case to give to your attorney. It is important that you be honest and up front with the investigator and provide names and addresses of any witnesses who would be willing to testify for you at trial. You will also talk to the attorney who is assigned to you as well as other attorneys who are stationed at the various courts each day. Your attorney may decide to have you meet with a psycho-forensic evaluator, a trained professional who will determine the need for any additional information about your past history such as family life, education, skills, or drug or alcohol abuse. In addition to attorneys, psycho-forensic evaluators, and investigators, the public defender staff employs paralegals, secretaries, and technical staff who may be involved in your defense as appropriate.
