Oneida County Public Defender

Overview

The Oneida County Public Defender’s Office, Criminal Division, assists with representing indigent criminal defendants throughout Oneida County. The Public Defender’s Office provides quality legal assistance to individuals charged with a crime who are financially unable to retain private counsel. The Public Defender’s Office handles criminal matters ranging from violations, misdemeanors, felonies, adolescent offenses, parole violations and appeals.

The Public Defender’s Office authority extends to the forty-two city, town, and village courts within Oneida County, the Oneida County Centralized Arraignment Part, Oneida County Court, and higher Appellate Courts. The Public Defender’s jurisdiction also includes the defense of inmates accused of committing criminal offenses while incarcerated in one of the three state corrections facilities within Oneida County and the Central New York Psychiatric Center.

The Public Defender’s Office is a holistic centered and client-based office. The Public Defender’s Office currently has two Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselors who are readily available to assist clients with alcohol and drug treatment. Clients are also counseled and supplied with information regarding housing, medical care and mental health services.

An applicant for Public Defender services is presumptively eligible if the applicant’s new income is at or below 250% of the current Federal Poverty Guidelines.

Please review our Resources for more information on the current Federal Poverty Guidelines.

Our Mission

To protect the rights, liberties, and maintain the integrity and fairness of the American Justice System. The Public Defender’s office is committed to efficiently providing clients with effective legal representation and treating clients with dignity and respect.