Divisions
Foundation
The Office of the Legal Defender created an appeals unit in February 2011.
Original Mission
The original mission of the unit was to handle appeals of indigent clients who were found to be disabled as the result of a mental disability and court-ordered to receive treatment. These cases are commonly referred to as Mental Health appeals.
Expanded Services
Since being created the unit has expanded and now handles both Mental Health appeals and Criminal appeals, representing indigent defendants in non-capital cases who have been convicted of a crime following a trial.
The Office of the Legal Defender Capital Unit represents indigent criminal defendants that have been charged with Murder and where the state seeks to impose the death penalty.
The Office of the Legal Defender Criminal Trial Unit represents indigent criminal defendants that have been charged with non-capital felony crimes.
Cases handled by this unit encompass the entire felony cases ranging from Class 6 (e.g. Possession of Marijuana) to non-capital Homicide.
Cases Handled
Cases handled by this unit encompass the entire felony cases ranging from Class 6 (e.g. Possession of Marijuana) to non-capital Homicide.
The Maricopa County Office of the Legal Defender serves as court appointed counsel to parents in Dependency and Severance cases.
For more information, visit the Cases We Handle - Juvenile/Dependency page.
For More Information
For more information, visit the Cases We Handle - Juvenile/Dependency page.
The Office of the Legal Defender represents indigent criminal defendants in the Regional Court Center (RCC) and Early Disposition Court (EDC).
Some cases start in RCC and EDC to see if an early resolution can be worked out between the state and defense.
When cases aren't able to resolve they move up to the trial division and are assigned to a member of the Criminal Trial Unit.
Attempt at Resolution
Some cases start in RCC and EDC to see if an early resolution can be worked out between the state and defense.
When cases aren't able to resolve they move up to the trial division and are assigned to a member of the Criminal Trial Unit.
Attorneys
- Scott Allen
- Ashley Chambers
- James Dailey
- Beth Garcia
- Paul Ivy
- Meg Leal
- Marcia Miller
- Rhonda O'Neil
- Elizabeth Sawyer
- Kristin Stewart
- Chelsie Talcott
- Jason van Doren
- Christina Walker