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, Governor, Senate and House of Representatives, oversees the provision of legal representation to indigent persons who have a right to counsel in criminal and civil cases and administrative proceedings. Private attorneys provide representation and the Committee's Private Counsel Division (focusing on criminal and delinquency matters), Children and Family Law Division (CAFL), Youth Advocacy Department (YAD) and Mental Health Litigation Unit train, certify, support and oversee these attorneys. The Public Defender Division, CAFL and Juvenile Defender staff offices handle all other 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