Community Engagement

The Public Defender’s Office offers three programs that educate our community about the consequences of arrests, pleas, convictions and adjudications with the goal of encouraging positive outcomes and helping ex-offenders regain lost rights and successfully reintegrate into the community. Learn more about our involvement in the community.

The Consequences Aren’t Minor

The Consequences Aren’t Minor is a program that educates kids and parents about the serious consequences of an arrest, plea, conviction or adjudication, as well as involvement with the criminal and juvenile justice systems.

Play it Smart

Young people can be involved with the juvenile justice system after a negative encounter with the police. Play it Smart is a program that teaches kids about their rights and how to effectively interact with police.

Redemption Project

The Redemption Project (Redemption) is an all-volunteer effort to improve the ability of former clients to overcome legal obstacles to employment and help them obtain jobs.

Project Victory and Project Independence

In 2015, Public Defender Carlos J. Martinez (PD-11) established a partnership with Miami Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS) to house a comprehensive career development program at the Public Defender’s office for students with disabilities.