Pima County lost one of its most valuable assets when Public Defender
Robert Hooker was killed in a tragic traffic accident in April
2008.
Hooker combined a calm demeanor with firm convictions to shape
and upgrade the county Pub
lic Defender’s Office in his more than
two years at its helm. He was resolute in his belief that those
without money or savvy deserved legal representation as capable
as that of the wealthy and sophisticated.
A former Superior Court judge and longtime defense attorney in
private practice, Hooker took on the Public Defender job in January
2005 determined to put his belief into practice. Under his leadership
the office, which represents indigents charged with serious crimes,
significantly increased its courtroom presence – especially when
it came to first-degree murder cases. This saved taxpayers money
because fewer major cases had to be sent to expensive private attorneys.
Tall and impeccably well-dressed, Hooker, 65, attracted seasoned
attorneys to the Public Defender’s Office with the help of longtime
friend and former legal partner Robert Hirsh, a top criminal defense
attorney who once specialized in insanity defenses. Hirsh has taken
over as Public Defender.
Hooker was as well known for his broad knowledge of law as he
was for strong convictions and his passion for the Bill of Rights.
He resigned as a Superior Court judge in 1983 after the Arizona
Legislature passed a law limiting judicial discretion in sentencing
and setting draconian minimum sentences that since have vastly
increased the state’s prison population.
He was a native of north-central California and graduated from
Chico State University, where he played basketball, before coming
to Tucson and the University of Arizona to earn his law degree
and settle into his career.
After work one evening in early April, the vehicle Hooker was
driving was struck head-on just north of downtown when a drag-racing
teenager lost control of his vehicle. The Public Defender was killed
instantly.
Hooker is survived by his wife of 43 years, Sharon; their son
Lance; a sister, Marsha Crowe; and two grandchildren.