The law on the side of freedom is of great advantage only when there is power to make that law respected.

Fredrick Douglass

Who We Are

The Office of the Federal Public Defender, Southern District of Ohio, operates under authority of the Criminal Justice Act of 1964 (as amended), 18 U.S.C. § 3006A (CJA). We provide defense services to individuals who are financially unable to obtain adequate representation in Federal criminal cases, appeals, and habeas corpus matters. A person’s eligibility for defender services is determined by the federal court. Attorneys of this office may not represent individuals without an appointment from the court, nor may they engage in the private practice of law.

Our Mission

Members of our organization provide our clients with legal services of the highest quality. We zealously represent the human worth, dignity and interest of our clients with courage, devotion and uncompromised advocacy. We uphold the rights of our clients while dealing ethically with the court system, representatives of the criminal justice system and our clients.