The Los Angeles County Public Defender protects the life and liberty interests of indigent adults and children in criminal and juvenile justice matters having penal consequences. 

Under the leadership of Chief Public Defender Ronald L. Brown, the Office of the Public Defender provides indigent individuals in the courts of Los Angeles County with highly skilled, professional legal representation.  This includes but is not limited to, adult criminal, juvenile delinquency, and mental health cases.

Established in 1914, the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office is both the oldest and largest full service local governmental defender in the United States, with offices in 39 locations throughout the county.  The Office is widely recognized as an innovative, award winning national leader in defense advocacy on behalf of adults and children in the criminal and juvenile justice systems.

Within the pages of this website, you will find information regarding the role, functions, and services of the Public Defender, the history of the Office, answers to frequently asked questions regarding various aspects of the operation of the criminal justice system, links to other governmental and legal agencies’ websites, a directory of our law office locations, and employment information.