MD Office of the Public Defender

This state agency provides public defender services. Its district trial divisions represent people facing possible incarceration or detention in felony, misdemeanor, traffic, and juvenile delinquency cases. Representation can cover arraignments, bail review, preliminary hearings, pre-trial motions, trial or disposition, sentencing, motions to modify, and probation or parole violations. Specialized divisions handle direct appeals, post-conviction petitions, parole revocation hearings, and writs of actual innocence. The Parental Defense Division represents parents in child-in-need-of-assistance and termination-of-parental-rights proceedings. The Mental Health Division represents people facing involuntary commitment, as well as those found not criminally responsible or incompetent to stand trial. The agency has district offices in Baltimore City and across Maryland.