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Hamilton County Public Defender
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Our Mission

We will treat every client with DIGNITY, fight for JUSTICE and give them HOPE every day.
 

Office Hours

Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:00pm

What's New

Latest News

December 17, 2020
The Winter Shelter is now open!

Read More
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Calendar of Events

Upcoming Events

02/03/2021
** Fresh Start CLOSED **
02/17/2021
** Fresh Start CLOSED **
View Full Calendar
 
 

Know Your Rights

 

DO NOT SPEAK TO THE POLICE OR DETECTIVE WITHOUT YOUR ATTORNEY BEING PRESENT WITH YOU!

Guardian ad litem Division

The Hamilton County Public Defender’s Office provides guardian ad litem services in Hamilton County Juvenile Court on cases where a complaint has been filed alleging a child to be abused, neglected, or dependent.

  • a guardian ad litem is charged with the duty of representing the child’s best interest, which may not be the same as what the child wants
  • the guardian ad litem serves as an advocate for the child
  • a guardian ad litem will conduct an independent, objective investigation of the allegations before the court
  • the guardian ad litem will have direct contact with the child
  • the investigation will be case specific, but may include:
  • interviews of parties and caretakers of the child,
  • review of records,
  • contact with Hamilton County Job and Family Services,
  • contact with service providers for the child and family,
  • contact with school personnel, and
  • any other action necessary to determine the child’s best interest
  • the guardian ad litem will maintain the confidentiality of the child and all parties
  • based upon their investigation, the guardian ad litem will make recommendations to the court
  • the guardian ad litem will file or cause to be filed any motion or pleading they believe to be in the child’s best interest
  • the guardian ad litem continues to serve in this role until the case closes or discharge by the court


The Guardian ad Litem Division employs 16 attorneys and 12 guardian ad litem.  By law, attorneys are appointed on any case where a child is alleged to be abused.  In those cases where neglect and/or dependency are alleged, a non-attorney serves as guardian ad litem.  The gardian ad litem worker on the neglect and dependency cases is assigned a staff attorney to represent them in court.

  Kimberly Helfrich Director 513-946-8267
  Ali Archual GAL Trial Counsel 513-946-8286
  Scott Ball Guardian ad Litem Supervisor 513-946-8269
  Samantha Bartlett Guardian ad Litem 513-946-8229
  Greg Becker Guardian ad Litem 513-946-8270
  Klarysa Benge GAL Assistant Director 513-946-8268
  Megan Busam GAL Trial Counsel 513-946-8273
  Joanna Davis Guardian ad Litem 513-946-8296
  Josef Eversmann Guardian ad Litem 513-946-8277
  Marianne Ford GAL Trial Counsel 513-946-8278
  Belinda Gullette GAL Trial Counsel 513-946-8283
  Dani Ingram-Farris GAL Trial Counsel 513-946-8298
  Robert Hardin GAL Trial Counsel 513-946-8280
  Andrea Hayles Guardian ad Litem Training Coordinator 513-946-8281
  Kathleen Kenney GAL Trial Counsel 513-946-8297
  Amanda Lawson Guardian ad Litem 513-946-8287
  Robert LeBoeuf GAL Trial Counsel 513-946-8284
  Allison McWhorter GAL Senior Trial Counsel 513-946-8288
  Roxanna Mehdi GAL Trial Counsel 513-946-8275
  Amber Mingo-Foggie Guardian ad Litem 513-946-8285
  Katie Morse Guardian ad Litem 513-946-8279
  Mary Ann Nagel Office Manager 513-946-8289
  Krista Perkins Guardian ad Litem 513-946-8291
  Marie Potzick Administrative Assistant  513-946-8293
  Samantha Ratliff Paralegal 513-946-8276
  Mary Salyer GAL Trial Counsel 513-946-8271
  Megan Shahan Guardian ad Litem 513-946-8294
  Katherine Teasdale GAL Court Specialist 513-946-8227

 

 

 

Adult Services
Office Hours: Mon - Fri 8am - 4pm
230 E. 9th Street, 2nd Floor
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone: 513-946-3700
Fax: 513-946-3707
Juvenile Services
Office Hours: Mon - Fri 8am - 4pm
125 E. Court Street, 9th Floor
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone: 513-946-8282
Fax: 513-946-8242
Guardian ad litem
Office Hours: Mon - Fri 8am - 4pm
125 E. Court Street, 8th Floor
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone: 513-946-8292
Fax: 513-946-8272

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