Auglaize County Public Defender's Office

05/09/2026

03/19/2026

Who's Clarence Earl Gideon? 🤔 He's recognized every March 18 on Gideon's Day for his part in a landmark Supreme Court case.

➡️ The 1963 decision would ensure the Sixth Amendment right to legal representation is extended to all people accused of a crime, regardless of their ability to pay for a lawyer.

⏯️ Watch this 3-minute rundown of the "Gideon vs. Wainwright" decision ➡️ https://bit.ly/3PcS5ln

🍰 Our Washington County public defenders highlighted this important day as part of National Public Defense Week!

03/12/2026

The State Public Defender is calling for an end to the death penalty in Ohio. A repeal would support Ohioans in several critical ways:

➡️ Since 1976, 12 people who were sentenced to death have been exonerated. Eliminating the law would remove the risk of the State executing an innocent person.

➡️ Fiscal Stewardship: Death penalty cases cost between $1 million and $3 million more than non-capital cases. Those funds could instead be used for solving open cases and supporting victims' services.

➡️ Public Safety: There is no credible evidence the death penalty is a deterrent to violent crime. Life without parole can appropriately punish an individual without the many costs of state-sponsored ex*****on.

🔗 Read Ohio Public Defender Elizabeth Miller's statement: https://bit.ly/EliminateOhiosDeathPenalty

02/10/2026

The Auglaize County Public Defender's Office is looking for gently used clothing, shoes and outerwear as well as dress slacks, shirts, ties and dress shoes. All donations can be accepted during normal business hours Monday-Friday 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Local pick-ups can be arranged by messaging this page or contacting Mandy at (419) 739-6796.

Send a message to learn more

01/26/2026

The Auglaize County Public Defender’s Office will be closed today and will reopen tomorrow at 8:00 A.M. Our staff will return e-mails and voicemails as soon as possible. Everyone stay safe out there!

10/29/2025

Community involvement ❤️

10/16/2025

05/27/2025

The Auglaize County Office hosts multiple interns throughout the year, including those from the Wapakoneta Internship Program (W.I.N.) at Wapakoneta High School. This program is really special as it gives young adults an opportunity to experience our profession before heading off to college. I know it can be challenging to slow down in our busy roles and teach them but I want to give a huge THANK YOU to everyone in the office as well as everyone in the Courthouse for taking the time to explain things and mentor them when they are following us around. If you have the chance to participate in this program, please do so! We enjoyed our special appreciation treat from them but reading things like this just reinforces how important this program really is!

"This internship has helped me understand what it is like to be a defense attorney and has helped me decide that I want to be a lawyer".

"The staff has been amazing to me and have introduced me to so many things that will help me in my future career".

❤️❤️ Future Public Defenders ❤️❤️❤️