The majority of individuals who are arrested in Florida are represented by the Public Defender’s Office. Due to an office that is frequently understaffed, underfunded, and overburdened, clients are often unable to receive the attention they need to mount a proper defense.
Those not represented by the Public Defender must pay thousands of dollars for a private attorney.
The Florida Justice Center is the only nonprofit legal aid organization that provides free legal representation with low case loads, case management, and behavioral health counseling to help justice-involved people not only avoid conviction, but to have a better life and stay out of the system in the future.