What Is a
Mission Statement?

A mission statement is a written statement of the purpose of an organization. A mission statement guides the actions of the organization, spells out its overall goal, provides a sense of direction, and guides decision making for all levels of management.

Monroe County Public Defender Office

Mission Statement

WE ARE a hardworking, creative and talented team of attorneys, who with the support of a professional and dedicated staff, provide strong, effective, zealous legal representation to individuals appearing in appellate, criminal or family courts.

Legal services provided by our attorneys adds up to centuries of experience, encompassing every facet of appellate, criminal defense and family court work. This priceless bank of knowledge is available to each attorney, and withdrawals and deposits are encouraged. At the same time, never content with the status quo, we challenge ourselves and each other to grow as attorneys and as advocates, remaining on top of legal developments and availing ourselves of every tool in our mission to provide top quality representation to our clients.

We strive for and value diversity of every kind, as we believe that experience and beliefs obtained from a variety of sources and backgrounds create a rich and dynamic approach to problem solving and strategy.

We believe a cohesive net of criminal defense services is only as strong as its weakest link. Monroe County is fortunate to have a private bar that is equally committed to providing quality defense services and we consider them partners in our mission to ensure that all individuals accused of a crime are represented competently and effectively. Therefore, we actively educate and share knowledge with other committed attorneys in the private bar, ensuring that representation across the spectrum remains cutting edge and dynamic.

We recognize that each client is unique, and are sensitive to potential treatment needs of clients including veterans, and those with mental health or substance abuse problems.

We respect the humanity and dignity of each person we represent, and endeavor to treat every person with understanding. We expect the same in return.

We support the community with education and accessibility.

The rights codified in the Constitution, to have any real meaning, must be vigorously protected no matter what the income level of the accused.

In 1963, the United States Supreme Court in Gideon v. Wainright recognized that the right of an indigent defendant in a criminal trial to have the assistance of counsel is a fundamental right essential to a fair trial. We believe that without the zealous assistance of counsel, individual defendants cannot vindicate their constitutional rights.