About
Our Office
Established in 2011, the Harris County Public Defender's Office (PDO) is now known as one of the best public defenders’ offices in the country.
- The most recent large-scale study on our office found that PDO clients are actually more likely to win their cases, with 37% of our felony clients going home with no punishment and no conviction.
- Our lawyers have caseload limits to make sure they will have time for each client.
- Since the beginning, the Harris County government has guaranteed to provide us the resources needed to fully investigate and defend each case and to pay Public Defenders the same fair salaries as the prosecutors.
- Our client-centered model of defense seeks to not only achieve the best case outcomes, but also to help each client by addressing underlying problems that can push people into the criminal system.
Defense Centered On
Each Person’s Story
The Harris County Public Defender’s Office practices a client-centered model of defense that seeks to not only achieve the best case outcomes, but also address the underlying issues and circumstances that drive people into the criminal legal system.
The Harris County Public Defender’s Office practices a client-centered model of defense that seeks to not only achieve the best case outcomes, but also address the underlying issues and circumstances that drive people into the criminal legal system.
The Harris County Public Defender’s Office practices a client-centered model of defense that seeks to not only achieve the best case outcomes, but also address the underlying issues and circumstances that drive people into the criminal legal system.
The Harris County Public Defender’s Office practices a client-centered model of defense that seeks to not only achieve the best case outcomes, but also address the underlying issues and circumstances that drive people into the criminal legal system.
Our work is guided by
four key values.
Access
Seamless access to legal and non-legal services that meet client needs
Communication
Dynamic, interdisciplinary communication
Expertise
Advocates with an interdisciplinary skill set
Community
A robust understanding of, and connection to, the community served
Resources
Leadership
Leslie Ginzel
Holistic Division Chief
the People we serve
Let's hear what the public has to say!
I would like to thank you for helping me make a good and wise decision and for being honest with me and explaining in DETAIL every step of the process. You have helped me 100% better than my previous attorney. Letter from a Client
This is to thank you all for treating me as a human. My lawyer from the Public Defender's Office worked tirelessly to represent me to the best of his ability. He always took the time to explain difficult situations without some fancy lawyer talk. My family was kept up to date with court proceedings. And if I wrote him from the jail, there was always a personal response, whether in writing or a call to family to fully explain the questions at hand. I can't thank you enough for the uncanny results in my case. Letter from a Client
I just wanted to write you to thank you one more time for an outstanding job on my case. You are by far the best attorney I've ever had the privilege of meeting. Letter from a Client