The Miami-Dade Public Defender's Office provides legal representation for juveniles and adults charged with crimes ranging from misdemeanors to capital offenses. The office takes a holistic approach to representation, not only addressing a client's legal needs, but also their placement, substance abuse, and mental health needs. The office employs more than 15 mitigation specialists who work as part of the defense team to effectively represent clients. Social workers interview and assess the needs of juvenile and adult clients using a biopsychosocial approach. This information is used to obtain treatment placements for clients or as mitigating circumstances to waive minimum mandatory sentences or to advocate for lessor prison sentences. Our client populations range from children and adults suffering from severe mental illness, substance abuse, dual diagnosis, neurological deficits, sexual and physical abuse, intellectual disabilities, and trauma. Defense teams also interact and work with numerous types of experts such as psychologists, neuropsychologists, psychiatrists and other specialty areas, all who evaluate clients based on their individual needs.

Special placement information:
Accepting MSW 1st-year and MSW 2nd-year/Advanced Standing (clinical) students. Full- and part-time positions available.  
Depending on COVID restrictions, personal transportation is necessary in order to get to county jails.
Liability insurance not required.
Video-/Audio-taping not permitted.
Agency hours: 8:30AM-5:00PM. Evening and weekend hours may be necessary.
Travel reimbursement available.
Stipend not available.