Offices, Resources and Cases

The Public Defender Division of the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is the Massachusetts state public defender agency.  The Public Defender Division has more than 200 staff public defenders working in regional District Court and Superior Court offices throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  Trial offices are located in:  Barnstable, Boston, Brockton, Cambridge, Dedham, Fall River, Framingham, Hyannis, Lowell, Malden, New Bedford, Northampton, Pittsfield, Quincy, Roxbury, Salem, Springfield and Worcester.  All trial offices have staff investigators, and the District Court offices also have social service advocates who work as part of the legal team to assess client needs and connect clients with needed social services.  Additional case-related expert services are available by retaining outside experts who are paid through the CPCS budget.  Public Defender Division trial attorneys represent clients on criminal cases in state District and Superior Courts.  Caseloads are closely monitored and maintained at reasonable levels, and careful training and close supervision are integral elements of all Public Defender Division offices.  The lawyers of the Public Defender Division carry on a proud Massachusetts public defender tradition, born more than fifty years ago, of providing zealous advocacy and excellent representation to each client.