Help for clients and community

Being treated fairly by the criminal justice system should not be a privilege of the rich. In 1963, the United States Supreme Court in Gideon v. Wainright recognized that the fundamental right to a fair trial requires an indigent person accused of a crime to have the assistance of Counsel.

The judge will appoint a Public Defender only if:

- You are an adult and the judge decides that you cannot afford to hire a private attorney; or

- You are under age 18.

You have rights

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probably cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.  Read more for best practices for exercising your rights safely, tips to reduce exposure to suspicion (not legal advice).

What to do within the first 24 hours

Unsure what to do for a loved one that has been arrested? Use this link to find important information that you can use within the first 24 hours after an arrest. Is your loved one in jail? How much is bail? When is the first court appearance? Who do you call if you have concerns about your loved one’s health? Get this information and more by following this link. There are actions you can take before your loved one meets his or her public defender.

Resources

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL)

National Public Defender Association

The Innocence Project

Gideon’s Promise

National Criminal Defense College

Trial Lawyer's College

Minnesota Freedom Fund

Equal Justice Initiative

"Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth."

Muhammed Ali

News

hands on fence

After Daunte Wright's killing, criticism of 'pretextual' traffic stops grows

Read the article
court

Hennepin County launches initiative to eliminate disparities in juvenile system

Read the article

Job opportunities

Hennepin County Public Defender's Office job openings   

State of Minnesota Public Defender's Office job openings

View all job openings for the State of Minnesota Public Defender's Office

Summer Law Clerk Program 2024 


 

If you're in the criminal justice system and can't afford an attorney, the Public Defender's office can represent you. We help adults and juveniles accused of criminal offenses, and parents and children involved in child protection cases.

How do I apply for a Public Defender?

You will complete an application for a Public Defender at your first appearance in court. If you meet the income guidelines, the judge will appoint a public defender to represent you.

Who is my Public Defender?

The Office of the Public Defender assigns lawyers to every first appearance courtroom. Once the court has found you eligible, your public defender will meet with you to discuss your case.

How do I get to the Public Defender's Office?

If you are meeting with your lawyer for an adult criminal case (felony or Minneapolis misdemeanor) please go to our 14th floor reception area at 701 Fourth Avenue South, Suite 1400, Minneapolis, MN 55415. Our phone number is 612-348-7530.

If you are meeting with your lawyer for a juvenile delinquency or child protection please go to our 10th floor reception area at 701 Fourth Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55415. Our phone number is 612-348-7530.

How do I get to Adult Court?

For adult criminal cases, including suburban misdemeanor charges, all court locations and instructions on how to find a courtroom are available online. Our suburban public defenders have offices located in the suburban courthouses. If you have questions about where to go, please call the Public Defender’s Office 612-348-7530

How do I get to Juvenile Court?

For juvenile court all court locations and instructions on how to find a courtroom are available online. If you are unsure or have questions about your case, please call the Public Defender’s Office 612-348-7530.

When is my next court date?

Minnesota State Court provides online access court calendars. You may search by your name or case number. If you are unsure or have questions about your case, please call the Public Defender’s Office 612-348-7530.

   

Directory

Jump to: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T V W 
Staff Member Phone Email Job Duties
A
Adams, Brooke 612-348-9021 brooke.adams@hennepin.us Attorney
Anderson, Andrea 612-348-4104 andrea.anderson@hennepin.us Paralegal 
Anderson, Brittany 612-348-2001 brittany.anderson@hennepin.us Investigator
Appleby, Stephanie 612-596-7247 stephanie.appleby@hennepin.us Dispositional Advisor
Austin, MarShonda  612-596-9145
 marshonda.austin@hennepin.us
 Legal Assistant 
Austin, Pamela 612-348-5389 pamela.austin@hennepin.us Legal Assistant
B
Bailey, Angela 612-348-8059 angela.bailey@hennepin.us Attorney
Baldwin, Laura 612-348-2186 laura.baldwin@hennepin.us Attorney
Barbour, Sean 612-348-6613 sean.barbour@hennepin.us Information Technology
Barna, Allison 612-348-9099 allison.barna@hennepin.us Dispositional Advisor
Barukzoy, Setara  612-348-6940  setara.barukzoy@hennepin.us  Attorney
Batres, Johana 612-543-2411 johana.batres@hennepin.us Legal Assistant
Baskfield, Madeline  612-348-8246  madeline.baskfield@hennepin.us  Attorney
Baumann, Joel  612-348-2433  joel.baumann@hennepin.us  Attorney
Beasley, Jarita 612-348-6985 jarita.beasley@hennepin.us Legal Assistant
Berger, Michael  612-348-5660
 michael.berger@hennepin.us
 Chief Public Defender 
Bergeson, Steve 612-596-1802 steven.bergeson@hennepin.us Attorney-Trial Team
Bishop, Tanya 612-348-8229 tanya.bishop@hennepin.us Attorney
Bower, Jessica    jessica.bower@hennepin.us
 Legal Assistant 
Bozian, Gabriel 612-596-6754 gabriel.bozian@hennepin.us Attorney-Supervisor
Brodhag, Amanda 612-348-6419 amanda.brodhag@hennepin.us Attorney
Brooke, Sallie 612-596-9406 sallie.brooke@hennepin.us Legal Assistant
Bruce, Christy 612-348-8052 christy.bruce@hennepin.us Dispositional Advisor
Brummel, Paula 612-596-7668 paula.brummel@hennepin.us Attorney
Bryant, Camille 612-596-9147 camille.bryant@hennepin.us Attorney
Burton, Shira 612-348-0720 shira.burton@hennepin.us Attorney
Byron, Eve 612-348-8594 eve.byron@hennepin.us Attorney
C
Carpenter, Raissa  612-348-9676 raIssa.carpenter@hennepin.us  Attorney
Chadwick, Allison 612-348-2984 allison.chadwick@hennepin.us Attorney
Champagne, Christopher 612-348-8012 christopher.champagne@hennepin.us Attorney
Cima, Kathy 612-596-9346 kathy.cima@hennepin.us Attorney
Clemens, Chelsie 612-596-0667 chelsie.clemens@hennepin.us Dispositional Advisor
Clemenson, Rene 612-348-8050 rene.clemenson@hennepin.us Attorney-Supervisor
Cluck, Deborah 612-596-9279 deborah.cluck@hennepin.us Legal Assistant
Colbert, Jessica 612-348-8317 jessica.colbert@hennepin.us Attorney-Supervisor
Cousins, Adrienne 612-543-1577 adrienne.cousins@hennepin.us Attorney-Supervisor
D
Davies, Susan 612-543-3149 susan.davies@hennepin.us Dispositional Advisor
DesLauriers, Kevin 612-348-4122 kevin.deslauriers@hennepin.us Attorney
DeSmidt, David 612-543-0764 david.desmidt@hennepin.us Attorney
Devaraj, Mark 612-348-2742 mark.devaraj@hennepin.us Attorney
Domin, Isa 612-543-4770 isa.domin@hennepin.us Attorney
Dong, Jesse 612-348-9884 jesse.dong@hennepin.us Attorney-Supervisor
Donnelly, Emmett 612-348-6144 emmett.donnelly@hennepin.us Attorney-Managing
E
El-Ghazzawy, Basil 612-543-0263 basil.el-ghazzawy@hennepin.us Attorney
F
Fink, Danielle  612-348-2854 danielle.fink@hennepin.us  Attorney
Fischer, Dick 612-348-8872 richard.fischer@hennepin.us Investigator
Forsell Cayard, Maggie 612-543-0962 maggie.forsellcayard@hennepin.us Attorney
Franklin. Ryan  612-348-6123  ryan.franklin@hennepin.us  Attorney
Fraser, Melissa 612-596-7517 melissa.fraser@hennepin.us Attorney-Supervisor
G
Gamble, Maja 612- 348-8045 maja.gamble@hennepin.us Investigator
Gielcowski, Tammy 612-348-6047 tammy.gielcowski@hennepin.us Legal Assistant
Giudice, Matthew 612-348-6766 matthew.giudice@hennepin.us Paralegal
Granse, Alicia 612-596-1981 alicia.granse@hennepin.us Attorney
Gray, Kevin 612-596-7969 kevin.gray@hennepin.us Attorney
Grimley, Erin  612-348-9198
 erin.grimley@hennepin.us
 Dispositional Advisor
Gross, Hannah  612-348-4820
 hannah.gross@hennepin.us
 Dispositional Advisor
Guzman, Chayo 612-348-2974
 chayo.guzman@hennepin.us
 Office Manager 
H
Haley, Abby  612-543-9254 abby.haley@hennepin.us Paralegal- IT
Halimah, Sara  612-348-2148 sara.halimah@hennepin.us Attorney
Harmon, Jessie  612-596-8545 jessie.harmon@hennepin.us  Attorney
Harsha, Zayda 612-596-8269 zayda.harsha@hennepin.us Dispositional Advisor
Hayes, Michelle 612-596-7136 michelle.hayes@hennepin.us Attorney
Henstein, Olivia  612-348-7110 henstein.olivia@hennepin.us
 Paralegal- IT 
Herlofsky, Susan 612-348-9881 susan.herlofsky@hennepin.us Attorney
Hicks, Caroline 612-348-8395 caroline.hicks@hennepin.us Attorney
Hill, Cameron  612-596-7883
 cameron.hill@hennepin.us
 Legal Assistant 
Hitz, Evelynn  612-348-2983 evelynn.hitz@hennepin.us Paralegal
Hoffman, Gretchen 612-348-9156 gretchen.hoffman@hennepin.us Attorney-Supervisor
Hofman, Vanessa  612-543-9849
 vanessa.hofman@hennepin.us
 Attorney  
Hogan, Elizabeth 612-596-8510 elizabeth.hogan@hennepin.us First Assistant 
Holland, Michael 612-348-9946 mike.holland@hennepin.us Attorney
Hormillosa, Michael  612-596-7389  michael.hormillosa@hennepin.us  Attorney
Hoppe, Mary 612-348-5265 mary.hoppe@hennepin.us Legal Assistant
Horvath, JC  612-348-8255 james.horvath@hennepin.us Attorney
I
Inz, Julia 612-348-6810 julia.inz@hennepin.us Attorney
Irfanullah, Christine  612-596-9407
 christine.irfanullah@hennepin.us
 Attorney 
Isaacman, Geoffrey 612-348-7891 geoffrey.isaacman@hennepin.us Attorney-Supervisor
J
Jaimet, Matthew 612-596-1797 matthew.jaimet@hennepin.us Attorney
James, Beverly 612-348-2337 beverly.james@hennepin.us Admin Asst-Supervisor
Johnson, Kristin 612-596-7518 kristin.johnson@hennepin.us Investigator
Johnson, Laura 612-348-8555 laura.johnson@hennepin.us Attorney
K
Karp, Elizabeth 612-543-2925 elizabeth.karp@hennepin.us Attorney
Kennon, Shawn 612-348-8174 shawn.kennon@hennepin.us Attorney
Khan, Atif  612-348-6702
 atif.khan@hennepin.us
 Attorney- Supervisor 
Knezel, Owen  612-348-6019 owen.knezel@hennepin.us Investigator
Knutson, Chelsea 612-596-7889 chelsea.knutson@hennepin.us Attorney
Kolar, Matthew  612-348-6042 matthew.kolar@hennepin.us Investigator
Kolstad, Bob 612-543-3475 bob.kolstad@hennepin.us Attorney
Kosel, Shawna  612-596-8566  shawna.kosel@hennepin.us  Attorney
Kowalski, Kim  612-348-9948 kimberly.kowalski@hennepin.us Paralegal
Koziol, Sarah  612-596-7887 sarah.koziol@hennepin.us Attorney
Kraetzner, Krystal 612-596-1447 krystal.kraetzner@hennepin.us Paralegal
Kyle, Juanita 612-348-6680 juanita.kyle@hennepin.us Attorney
L
Landreau, Stefan 612-348-8393 stefan.landreau@hennepin.us Attorney
Leary, Bryan 612-348-6553 bryan.leary@hennepin.us Attorney
Leary, Charlotte 612-348-4960 charlotte.leary@hennepin.us Legal Assistant
Lockhart, Edith  612-348-0032 edith.lockhart@hennepin.us
 Human Resources
Lukac, Allegra  612-543-3104  allegra.lukac@hennepin.us  Attorney
Lund, Chris 612-543-0264 chris.lund@hennepin.us Attorney
M
Mahoney, John 612-348-8021 john.mahoney@hennepin.us Attorney
Maravigli, Paul 612-348-0186 paul.maravigli@hennepin.us Attorney
Marcellus, Madsen  612-596-9347 madsen.marcellus@hennepin.us Attorney-Supervisor
Marks, Krista 612-348-2414 krista.marks@hennepin.us Attorney
Martin, Ben 612-348-6618 benjamin.martin@hennepin.us Attorney
Martin, Peter 612-348-7113 peter.martin@hennepin.us Attorney
Martinez, Arthur 612-348-5413 arthur.martinez@hennepin.us Attorney
McGuire, Katherine 612-348-6658 kat.mcguire@hennepin.us Dispositional Advisor
McMullen, Lynne  612-348-2056 lynne.mcmullen@hennepin.us
 Attorney 
McNaughton, Lisa 612-348-4375 lisa.mcnaughton@hennepin.us Attorney-Managing
McPherson, Patrick 612-348-4396 patrick.mcpherson@hennepin.us Investigator
Meyerson, David  612-596-8587  david.meyerson02@hennepin.us  Attorney
Michael, Brad 612-596-9409 brad.michael@hennepin.us Investigator
Miller, Mark 612-543-3074 mark.miller2@hennepin.us Attorney
Mills, Victor 612-348-0702 victor.mills@hennepin.us Investigator
Mitchell, LaToya 612-348-8654 latoya.mitchell@hennepin.us Paralegal 
Monroe, William 612-348-4846 william.monroe@hennepin.us Attorney
Morant, Andre 612-348-6756 andre.morant@hennepin.us Attorney-Supervisor
Moriarty, Christina 612-348-5061 christina.moriarty@hennepin.us Attorney
Morris, Jordan 612-596-9411 jordan.morris@hennepin.us Attorney
Muhammad, Kymphus 612-596-8362 kymphus.muhammad@hennepin.us Investigator
Myhran, Chase 612-348-5852 chase.myhran@hennepin.us Attorney
Myren, Doug 612-348-6373 doug.myren@hennepin.us Attorney
N
Nanez, Yastril  612-596-8617  yastril.nanez@hennepin.us  Attorney
Nikula, Randy  612-543-1646
 randy.nikula@hennepin.us
 Dispositional Advisor
Nolen, Julius 612-348-8560 julius.nolen@hennepin.us Attorney
Nolen, Laura 612-543-0262 laura.nolen@hennepin.us Attorney
Noothed, Rebecca  612-596-8621  rebecca.noothed@hennepin.us  Attorney
O
O'Connor, Brenna 612-543-1311  brenna.o'connor@hennepin.us Attorney
O'Connor, Leslie 612-596-3215 leslie.o'connor@hennepin.us Attorney
Olson, Aaron 612-348-6092 aaron.olson@hennepin.us Attorney
Overby, Michelle 612-596-1811 michelle.overby@hennepin.us Attorney
P
Parrott, Anwen  612-348-0384 anwen.parrott@hennepin.us Attorney
Paule, Robert 612-332-1733 robert.paule@hennepin.us Attorney
Pawlowicz, Jennifer 612-348-7198 Jennifer.Pawlowicz@hennepin.us Legal Assistant
Peuser, Casey  612-348-4973
 casey.peuser@hennepin.us
 Paralegal 
Phelps, Rebekah  612-596-8640  rebekah.phelps@hennepin.us  Attorney
Perry, Briana 612-596-0790 briana.perry@hennepin.us Attorney
Petersen, Steve 612-596-1803 steve.petersen@hennepin.us Investigator
Prahl, Laura 612-543-1633 laura.prahl@hennepin.us Attorney-Supervisor
Prentice, Carrie 612-596-7782 carrie.prentice@hennepin.us Attorney
Probst, Ashley 612-348-9856 ashley.probst@hennepin.us Attorney
Q
Quiggle, Brett 612-348-8557 brett.quiggle@hennepin.us Investigator
R
Reid, Tracy 612-543-3073 tracy.reid@hennepin.us Attorney
Reiland, Andrew 612-348-5838 andrew.reiland@hennepin.us Attorney-Supervisor
Renden, Greg 612-348-5952 gregory.renden@hennepin.us Attorney
S
Salgado Diaz, Eduardo 612-596-6567 eduardo.salgadodiaz@hennepin.us Attorney
Sargent, Cathy 612-348-8933 cathy.sargent@hennepin.us Legal Assistant
Sather, Joelle 612-543-0088 joelle.sather@hennepin.us Attorney
Schoenborn, Ashley  612-543-3105  ashley.schoenborn@hennepin.us  Attorney
Scott, Elizabeth 612-348-4370 elizabeth.scott@hennepin.us Attorney
Segelstrom, Tina  612-596-7391
 tina.segelstrom@hennepin.us
 Legal Assistant 
Selman, Butch 612-348-7856 butch.selman@hennepin.us Attorney
Sherman, Darcy 612-348-2429 darcy.sherman@hennepin.us Attorney
Skrzeczkoski-Bzdusek, Lisa 612-596-1801 lisa.skrzeczkoski@hennepin.us Attorney- Supervisor 
Smith, Desiree  612-348-4853  desiree.smith@hennepin.us  Legal Assistant 
Sorensen, Alyson  612-596-8657  alyson.sorensen@hennepin.us  Attorney
Stoks, Amanda 612-348-8924 amanda.stoks@hennepin.us Attorney
Sullivan, AC  612-596-9336 ac.sullivan@hennepin.us Dispositional Advisor
Swiontek, Matthew 612-348-8053 matthew.swiontek@hennepin.us Attorney
T
Tierney, Collin 612-348-6343 collin.tierney@hennepin.us Attorney
Tillis, Benita 612-348-9887 benita.tillis@hennepin.us Legal Assistant
V
Van Beek, Lindsey 612-348-0378 lindsey.vanbeek@hennepin.us Attorney
Van Guilder, JoAnne 612-348-0703 joanne.vanguilder@hennepin.us Paralegal
Verdoorn, Briana 612-348-2210 briana.verdoorn@hennepin.us Investigator
Vertin, Marecca 612-348-9947 marecca.vertin@hennepin.us Attorney
Vora, Zeel  612-596-8745  zeel.vora@hennepin.us  Attorney
W
West, Amy  612-596-8313 amy.west@hennepin.us Dispositional Advisor
Whaley, Jill 612-543-2120 jill.whaley@hennepin.us Investigator
Whiting, Freya  612-348-0111 freya.whiting@hennepin.us  Attorney
Wilkie, Diana 612-348-8292 diana.wilkie@hennepin.us Dispositional Advisor
Willman, Mariah  612-543-0087 mariah.willman@hennepin.us Legal Assistant
Z       
Zagorski, Emily  612-348-8264 emily.zagorski@hennepin.us Paralegal

Contact us

612-348-7530

701 4th Ave. S.
Suite 1400
Minneapolis, MN 55415

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