What is FPDA?

The Florida Public Defender Association (FPDA) is a nonprofit corporation whose members include 19 elected Public Defenders and nearly 2000 employees of public defender offices throughout Florida. The association exists to assist the Public Defenders to fulfill their constitutional duty to ensure equal justice for all.

The FPDA does not employ Assistant Public Defenders or Public Defenders. They are employed by the State of Florida. The Florida Public Defender Association does not provide legal representation or advice to individuals to answer legal questions. For legal advice or assistance on any open legal matters in which the Public Defender was appointed to represent you, you should inquire further with that Public Defender’s Office.

In addition, the FPDA does not supervise or manage individual Public Defender’s Offices. As a Constitutional Officer, each elected Public Defender decides how to operate the Circuit offices. If you have concerns or questions about how you are being represented, please contact the appropriate Public Defender.

Our mission is to advocate for an equitable justice system through education/training provided statewide to attorneys and at a legislative level.

NOTE: No Public Defenders work from this office. If you need information or have questions about a particular case, please contact the appropriate Office of the Public Defender from the list below.

Your Florida Public Defenders

First Circuit
Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton
Hon. Bruce Miller 

Second Circuit
Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Wakulla
Hon. Jessica Yeary

Third Circuit
Columbia, Dixie, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, 
Suwanee, Taylor
Hon. Cliff Wilson

Fourth Circuit
Clay, Duval, Nassau
Hon. Charles Cofer

Fifth Circuit
Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion, Sumter
Hon. Mike Graves

Sixth Circuit
Pasco, Pinellas
Hon. Sara Mollo
Seventh Circuit
Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns, Volusia
Hon. Matthew Metz

Eighth Circuit
Alachua, Baker, Bradford, 
Gilchrist, Levy, Union
Hon. Stacy A. Scott

Tenth Circuit
Hardee, Highlands, Polk
Hon. H. Rex Dimmig

Eleventh Circuit
Miami-Dade
Hon. Carlos J. Martinez

Twelfth Circuit
DeSoto, Manatee, Sarasota
Hon. Larry L. Eger

Thirteenth Circuit
Hillsborough
Hon. Julianne M. Holt

Fourteenth Circuit
Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Washington
Hon. Mark Sims

Fifteenth Circuit
Palm Beach
Hon. Carey Haughwout

Sixteenth Circuit
Monroe
Hon. Robert Lockwood

Seventeenth Circuit
Broward
Hon. Gordon Weekes

Eighteenth Circuit
Brevard, Seminole
Hon. Blaise Trettis

Nineteenth Circuit
Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, St. Lucie
Hon. Diamond R. Litty

Twentieth Circuit
Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, Lee
Hon. Kathleen A. Smith