Web Site:

www.mass.gov/cpcs/

Organization Chart

Mission:

The Committee for Public Counsel Services, a 15-member body appointed by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, oversees the provision of legal representation to indigent persons who have a right to counsel in criminal and civil cases and administrative proceedings. About 3,000 private attorneys provide most of that representation. The Committee's Private Counsel Division (focusing on criminal and delinquency matters), Children and Family Law Division (CAFL) and Mental Health Litigation Unit train, certify, support and oversee these attorneys. Public Defender Division and CAFL staff offices handle all other cases. The Public Defender Division has approximately 200 staff attorneys working in offices located across Massachusetts. Staff defenders provide representation to clients in criminal and delinquency proceedings in Superior, District and Juvenile Court. An additional 28 staff attorneys in CAFL offices throughout the state represent clients in state intervention and child welfare cases.

Governing Laws:

Statutes

MGL C. 211D S. 1-15
Committee for Public Counsel Services
St. 2005 C. 54 S. 1-9
An Act Providing Counsel to Indigent Persons