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    • Public Defense Services (PDS)

    PDS logo

    Our Mission

    The mission of Public Defense Services is to deliver excellent value of court-authorized legal services, and ensure fair treatment, for all those in need.

    Our Goals

    Public Defense Services (PDS) is committed to quality representation for its clients and to creating efficiencies expected by taxpayers.  PDS is implementing improved ways of doing business, better measurements to evaluate outcomes, while providing quality representation deserving of the mandate required by the United States Constitution.
    • To provide the best quality staff, vendors, and contractors for our clients;
    • To establish and maintain best-in-class processes within PDS Divisions;
    • To maintain trust and communication between PDS Divisions and County Administration.

    Our Projects

    Public Defense Services (PDS) plans to meet its goals through the following projects:
    • Provide specialized training to our leaders and staff;
    • Continued evaluation of processes for performance improvement in both quality and efficiency;
    • Give clients and community easy ways to provide feedback about our attorneys, staff, and contractors;
    • Ensure cross-agency dialogue within PDS Divisions;
    • Partner with our Information Technology Department to explore new methods of automation and quality assurance;
    • Publish reports to County Administration on Department's performance.

    Dean Brault - PDS Director

    Dean Brault

    Director

    Public Defense Services


    Dean J. Brault received a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration from the University of Arizona Eller College of Management in 1993.  He earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Arizona College of Law in 1996.  He served as the law clerk and bailiff for the Honorable John Davis at the Pima County Superior Court in 1997.  He was hired as an Assistant Public Defender at the Pima County Public Defender’s Office in September of 1997.  While at the Pima County Public Defender’s Office, Mr. Brault handled misdemeanors, extraditions, appellate cases, and felonies including homicide and sex cases.  He became one of the felony trial team leaders in 2012.  In August of 2015, Mr. Brault was appointed as the Pima County Legal Defender.  While acting as the Pima County Legal Defender, he implemented numerous reforms while handling a substantial caseload that included serious cases.  In March of 2018 he was appointed as the Director of Public Defense Services for Pima County.


    Our Team
    The Public Defense Services staff are dedicated to the clients of Pima County Public Defense Services Departments. They provide a range of skills to assist the departments' needs, and provide guidance in strategic decisions.


    Steven Monreal

    Steven Monreal

    Assistant to PDS Director

    Transcription Coordinator
    Case Management System Administrator






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    Tammy Hutchings

    Department Training and Educational Coordinator









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    Erica Marinone-Knight

    Program Manager
    Systems/Process Improvement
    DOC Coordinator/ Jail Liaison

     

    		 Kroska

    Shelley Kroska

    Legal Administrator

    Budget Management
    Expenditure/Payroll Oversight
    Policy/Procedures Oversight





    Perry

    Michelle Granillo

    Human Resources/Benefits
    Recruitment, On-Boarding
    Mobile Device Management



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    Celeste Lee

    Accounts Manager
    Accounts Payable
    Accounts Receivable
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    Arielle Hendricks

    Data Manager

    Statistical Analysis


    		 pima_dome

    Mike Fielder

    Trial Support Specialist

    Click to view PDS Pamphlet

    Employment

    Who does Public Defense Services represent?

    Our offices represent indigent individuals upon appointment of the Court. Our goals are to challenge injustice, promote systemic change, and advocate for the fair treatment of all people as guaranteed by the United States Constitution and the Arizona Constitution.

    View Public Defense Services pamphlet.

    View available Public Defense Services Jobs.

    Public Defender

    The Pima County Public Defender provides court appointed legal defense services in felony, juvenile, and dependency cases.

    Legal Defender

    The Pima County Legal Defender’s Office represents indigent individuals upon court appointment in all felony cases, direct appeal and Rule 32 post-conviction matters, and extradition hearings.

    Legal Advocate

    The Pima County Legal Advocate’s Office represents indigent individuals upon court appointment in felony cases where, due to conflict or workload reasons, they cannot be represented by the Public Defender or Legal Defender offices.

    Public Fiduciary

    The Public Fiduciary serves as court-appointed Guardian, Conservator, or Estate Administrator to protect the legal rights and financial interests of vulnerable adults and administer the estates of deceased persons when there is no one else willing or capable of serving. 

    Office of Court Appointed Counsel

    The Office of Court Appointed Counsel works with Superior Court, Juvenile Court, Justice Court, and the Court of Appeals to determine financial eligibility and assign indigent defense cases to the appropriate counsel. They also process payments to contract attorneys for their services in appointed cases.

    Office of Children's Counsel

    The Pima County Office of Children’s Counsel  represents the children in dependency proceedings.

    Mental Health Defender

    The Mental Health Defender's Office provides legal counsel to indigent clients regarding all aspects of Title 36 Court-ordered mental health evaluation and treatment.
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    Public Defense Services

    33 N. Stone Ave., Suite 1800
    Tucson, AZ 85701

    Phone: (520) 724-6967
    Fax: (520) 770-4117

    Monday - Friday
    8 a.m. - 5 p.m., except on holidays.


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