Circuit Public Defenders
Since January 1, 2005 each of Georgia’s 49 circuits has a circuit-wide public defender office. HB 770 - The Georgia Indigent Defense Act of 2003 places both the power and the responsibility of identifying, recruiting, and ultimately selecting qualified attorneys to be the Circuit Public Defender in each of the 49 judicial circuits on the five-member Circuit Selection Panels. O.C.G.A. § 17-12-20. The Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House, the Chief Justice, and the Chief Judge of each circuit appoints one member to each of the 49 Circuit Panels.

Circuit Public Defender Selection Panel
Each circuit is headed by a circuit public defender appointed by a five member selection panel established by the Governor, Lt. Governor, Speaker of the House, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and Chief Superior Court judge of the respective circuit. Members of the circuit public defender selection panel shall be individuals with significant experience working in the criminal justice system or who have demonstrated a strong commitment to the provision of adequate and effective representation of indigent defendants. They should also reside in the judicial circuit in which he or she serves. The selection panel members shall serve for a term of five years.

Letter from GPDSC Chairman Emmet Bondurant
Written to Governor Sonny Perdue concerning the appointment of Circuit Public Defender Selection Panels

Listing of Selection Panel members

Information for Circuit Public Defender Panels

Qualifications for Circuit Public Defenders

Map of Georgia Judicial Circuits

Circuit Public Defender office locations

Information for County, Municipal & Consolidated Governments

Pilot Project: Cordele Circuit Defender Office

More information can be found in the Implementation Manual for County, Municipal, & Consolidated Governments