Office of Public Defense

The Benton County Office of Public Defense (OPD) provides court-appointed attorneys in the following matters: 

• Criminal - Superior, District, and Juvenile Court
• Superior Court Guardianship
• Superior Court Civil Contempt (if jail time is being sought)
• Involuntary Treatment Act (mental health civil commitment)

OPD Mission

The Mission of the Benton County Office of Public Defense is to provide quality, cost-effective, legal representation to indigent and other qualified persons charged with criminal offenses, or otherwise facing incarceration or loss of liberty interest. The Office of Public Defense will protect Constitutional and other legal rights, educate individuals about the criminal justice system, and champion the interests of justice.  The Benton County Office of Public Defense will always be mindful of the fact that the resources that enable it to advance its Mission are entrusted to it by the taxpayers of Benton County, and as such it will constantly strive to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its team, of system which it manages, and of systems of which it is a part of, so as to always be a good steward of such resources.

OPD Values

Benton County Office of Public Defense staff and contractors share the following values: teamwork, efficiency, quality, cost-effectiveness, compassion, fairness, effective risk management, and continuous improvement. We are here to serve.

Important Notice

Nothing contained on this website is intended to be legal advice and you should not rely on any of it as such.  The only person qualified to provide you with legal advice specific to your case is an attorney you hire or a public defender appointed by the court to represent you.