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Criminal Area
Civil Area
The mission of the Private Counsel Division is to assure the provision of
high quality representation to CPCS clients by private assigned counsel.
To this end, the Private Counsel Division oversees and supports the over
2300 private attorneys who in FY11 handled more than 175,000 assigned
cases, including criminal trials, criminal appeals and cases involving
commitment or registration of former sex offenders . Individual case
assignments in the over 170,000 trial level criminal cases in the
District, Juvenile and Superior courts are made by county based
contractors known as Bar Advocate Programs, whose volunteer boards of
directors also contribute services in support of CPCS local oversight
and training efforts. Criminal appeals and cases requiring representation
of former sex offenders are assigned directly by the Private Counsel
Division. Oversight of the quality and efficiency of private counsel
representation conducted by the Private Counsel Division includes initial
certification and periodic recertification requirements, regular
performance reviews to assure compliance with published performance
standards, complaint investigation and disposition, regular reporting on
efforts to increase the diversity of legal service providers and required
annual continuing legal education. Through these efforts the Private
Counsel Division promotes zealous advocacy to secure equal justice for the
indigent people of Massachusetts.
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