Hamilton County Public Defender

Thank you to Rhonda Shepherd, founder of Ja Ja's Light for the generous donation of hygiene and care kits. Ja Ja's Light was founded for her son, Justin, who battled addiction until he passed in 2024. Since then, Rhonda has worked to found Ja Ja's Light to help those like Justin who are facing addiction and homelessness.

Many of our clients face these same struggles. We're so grateful for this donation!

Let’s Talk Law! We’re kicking off our new series where we break down new laws, your rights and how the legal system works.

First up: Ohio House Bill 492, which takes effect Oct. 6, 2026. The new law makes changes involving motor vehicle-related arrests and what may be required of passengers during certain traffic stops.

➡️ Swipe through to learn what’s changing, what you need to know and how to protect yourself during a stop.

Have a topic you want to see on Let’s Talk Law? Let us know in the comments!

⚠️ DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this social media series is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to substitute for professional legal consultation or representation. No attorney-client relationship is formed by using this content or engaging with this platform.

Registration is now open for Elevating Defense: Advocacy, Ethics, and Innovation.

Join Friends To The Indigent and the Hamilton County Public Defender for a day focused on stronger advocacy, smarter strategies, and the evolving challenges facing criminal defense attorneys. Learn new ways to tell your client’s story, uncover and address jury bias, challenge emerging surveillance technology, and navigate the ethical rules, risks, and opportunities of AI use in practice. Approved for 5 CLE credits, including 1.5 Professional Conduct Credits.

November 11, 2026 | 8:30am 3:15pm | Holloman Center for Social Justice (3539 Reading Road Suite 100, Cincinnati, OH 45229).

Pricing:
CACDL/OACDL members: $200
Ohio Public Defender or Other County Public Defender Attorneys & Staff: $75
All other attorneys: $400

Payments made to Friends To The Indigent via Zelle - link to send payments in the registration form!

Register today: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=dma1HuyUlU268VmbyJ3y5KSBzbqxK61Jh-0NyvnFd-pUREtZUFNBU1dNUDdEWTFGNk5JS1BMSE8xMS4u

How are bond decisions made in Hamilton County, and what factors should courts consider?

WCPO 9 takes an in-depth look at the county's bond process, examining judicial discretion, public safety and the presumption of innocence.

Chief Public Defender Angela Chang and Deputy Public Defender Sean Vicente share their perspectives on the complexities of pretrial release, the impact of cash bond and the importance of considering each person's individual circumstances.

Read/watch the full story: https://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/hamilton-county/cincinnati/one-decision-made-in-minutes-inside-hamilton-countys-growing-debate-over-bond-and-public-safety

Special congrats to Ray Faller on his Lifetime Achievement in Law Award from the Cincinnati Bar Association and Cincinnati Bar Foundation!

Our office was excited to cheer on Ray as he received this well-deserved honor!

Listening Sessions Citizen Complaint Authority Community Engagement Listening Sessions Citizen Complaint Authority Menu About Us History Leadership Organization Chart Authority CCA Case Status 2026 CCA Review Memos 2025 CCA Review Memos Citizen Complaint Process Types of Complaints Referred Complaints News and Announc...

We are so honored to have the National Association for Public Defense here in Cincinnati to provide a day of Holistic Defense training to our social services staff and attorneys.

Special thank you to our presenters: Carmen Brooks - Trial Attorney for the District of Nevada Federal Defender Office, and Stephanie Thornton - Social Work Training & Resources Coordinator at the National Association for Public Defense.

SAVE THE DATE! Elevating Defense: Advocacy, Ethics, and Innovation

Join Friends To The Indigent and the Hamilton County Public Defender for a day focused on stronger advocacy, smarter strategies, and the evolving challenges facing criminal defense attorneys. Learn new ways to tell your client’s story, uncover and address jury bias, challenge emerging surveillance technology, and navigate the ethical rules, risks, and opportunities of AI use in practice.

November 11, 2026 | 8:30am 3:15pm
Speakers, registration, and CLE details coming soon.

Calling all future public defenders! ⚖️

We’re hiring full-time attorneys and Summer 2027 Legal Interns through the 2026 Equal Justice Works Career Fair — the largest national public interest legal career fair in the country!

If you’re interested in continuing or gaining hands-on experience in public defense and advocating for clients in Hamilton County, we’d love to meet you.

🗓️ Career Fair: October 8–9, 2026
💻 Virtual
⏰ Deadline to apply is THIS FRIDAY: September 11, 2026

Apply through the Equal Justice Works Career Fair by September 11!

🔗 https://www.equaljusticeworks.org/conference-and-career-fair/for-attendees/law-students-graduates/