Welcome to the official web site for the office of James Owens, Public Defender for the First Judicial Circuit. This site was established to provide information to the public about the Public Defender's Office and the criminal Justice System.

The Public Defender's Office is responsible for providing legal counsel, when appointed by the Court, to those accused of criminal offenses who cannot afford to hire a lawyer. The office can be appointed to defend individuals charged with felonies, misdemeanors, or criminal traffic offenses in the Circuit and County Courts. It also defends children charged in Juvenile Court, and individuals facing involuntary commitment for mental treatment under the Baker Act. The Public Defender is elected for a four-year term.

The current administration values working hard together
as a team to achieve the best results for each client.
We believe defending constitutional rights
to be a fundamental principle of our system of justice.