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Board of County Commissioners

Public Defender Commission

• Purpose: The Public Defender Commission appoints the Hamilton County Public Defender and sets the general operational policy for the office. The Public Defender assesses indigency, subject to review of the Court, and the staff provides legal and administrative services that ensure effective representation in criminal and family law matters.

• Establishing Authority: Pursuant to Chapter 120 of the Ohio Revised Code the County Commissioners established the Public Defender Commission on July 26, 1976 by BOCC resolution, Volume 183, Image 36.

• Composition: The commission shall have five members, three of whom shall be appointed by the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), and two by the presiding judge of the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas. At least one member appointed by each of these appointing bodies shall be an attorney admitted to the practice of law in Ohio. Meetings shall be held at least quarterly and at such other times as called by the chairman or by request of the County Public Defender.

• Terms: Terms of office shall be for four years, each term ending on the same day of the same month of the year as did the term which it succeeds. Each member shall hold office from the date of his appointment until the end of the term for which he was appointed. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which his predecessor was appointed shall hold office for the remainder of such term. Any member shall continue in office subsequent to the expiration date of his term until his successor takes office, or until a period of sixty days has elapsed, whichever occurs first.

• Compensation: Members may receive an amount fixed by the Co Comm’rs, not in excess of the amounts set for the members of the OH Public Defender Commission pursuant to ORC Section 124.14 per diem, and necessary expenses including mileage for each mile traveled.

• Contact:
  Louis F. Stragari, Hamilton County Public Defender
  230 E Ninth Street
  Cincinnati, OH 45202
  Phone: (513) 946-3738
  www.hamilton-co.org/pub_def