Trial Divisions
General Sessions
26 Assistant Public Defenders work in General Sessions Court and handle over sixteen thousand misdemeanor cases each year. Two part-time attorneys are available to handle General Sessions' appointments in the suburban municipal courts of Bartlett, Millington, Collierville and Germantown as well as for adults in Juvenile Court. These cases may involve felony or misdemeanor charges.
Criminal Court
The Criminal Court Division serves ten Criminal Court divisions with a total of 23 full-time and 8 part-time attorneys. Within the Criminal Court division all attorneys represent clients charged with the full range of criminal offenses, including Murder in the First Degree cases that do not seek the death penalty.
Capital Defense Team
The Capital Defense Team (CDT) is responsible for the full representation of defendants in First Degree Murder cases, in which the State of Tennessee is seeking the Death Penalty. The team consists of two full-time attorneys, one part-time attorney, two full-time factual investigators, and two full-time social investigators or Mitigation Specialists.
Special Litigation
The Special Litigation Section supports the representation of defendants with serious mental illness, developmental disabilities, and those who are medically fragile. Litigation intervention, comprehensive transition planning, and information management resources are utilized to coordinate continuity of care for defendants with special needs. Two lawyers, an administrative assistant, and Shelby County's criminal justice/mental health liaison coordinate services for all staff attorneys and clients.
Appellate Attorneys
A three-attorney staff handles the appellate work for the Public Defender's Office. They prepare a brief on each case and handle oral arguments as necessary. This Office has handled appeals all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Investigators
The Public Defender's Office has 11 investigators who investigate cases for 68 attorneys. Investigators interview State and defense witnesses, gather information, and perform any other services needed for a client's defense.
Justice System Administration
The Justice System Administration (JSA) aids in monitoring defendants through the justice system to attempt to ensure that those defendant's cases are processed through the jail system in a timely fashion.
Support Staff
The secretarial and clerical staff provides support for the Chief Public Defender, 68 attorneys, and 11 investigators. They perform invaluable service for this office.
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