The Mason County Public Defender is dedicated to the full and fair representation of all persons in our community who cannot afford legal counsel and are in danger of being deprived of a liberty interest due to a criminal accusation or other statutorily defined state action.  It is the goal of the Public Defender’s Office to protect every client’s constitutional rights, to defend against discriminatory treatment and disproportionate punishment, and to ensure that no one who is innocent is ever wrongfully convicted.  We are committed to providing all mandated legal services in an efficient and cost-effective manner while holding ourselves to the highest professional and ethical standards. 

When the court determines that a person cannot afford an attorney, the Mason County Public Defender’s Office is charged with representing that person’s interests and rights in his or her criminal case.  The Mason County Public Defender’s office also represents juveniles in At-Risk-Youth (ARY) cases, Child in Need of Services petitions (CHINS), truancies, and dependencies.  The office also actively participates in the Mason County Drug Court, Veterans Court, and Mental Health Court programs.  This office does not handle parent representation in dependencies, which is instead handled by the Washington State Office of Public Defense.