Scales of Justice-1

PUBLIC DEFENDER
(928) 679-7700       Fax (928) 679-7701
Toll Free (866) 290-2466


 Mission Statement

Following appointment by the courts of Coconino County, the Office provides, pursuant to ethical and constitutional obligations, quality and cost-efficient legal representation to indigent persons who are:  criminal defendants;  minors accused of  delinquency;  the subjects of mental health commitment proceedings;  parties to child dependency actions;  or parties involved in termination of parental rights litigation.


Since the 1963 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Gideon vs. Wainwright, states have been required to provide lawyers to represent criminal defendants who are unable to pay for their own attorney. Additional case law and legislation have required the appointment of counsel in other cases. In Arizona, counties have the responsibility for providing counsel to the indigent. Coconino County has created a Public Defender's Office for this purpose. No person can be represented by the Public Defender until the Office is appointed by a court.

Public Defender                               Chief Deputy   
H. Allen Gerhardt                                                                  Jacque Hatch

Adult Attorneys
Brad Bransky, Steve Hauser, Steve Harvey, Lew Levin,

Roberta McVickers, Kevin O'Brien, Fanny Steinlage, Josh Steinlage,

Juvenile Supervisor
Sandy Diehl
    

Juvenile Attorneys
              Amy Criddle, Howard Grodman, Linda Houle

Chief Investigator  
Vince Lopez

Administrative Support Staff
consists of one Administrative Senior Manager and
five Adminstrative Specialists