Youth Defense Division

The Youth Defense Division specializes in and primarily represents children charged with criminal offenses. We also represent adults charged with offenses involving children. Our division consists of a Director, three team leads, twelve defense attorneys, a paralegal, investigator, two social workers, a mitigation specialist, and two support staff

Our offices are located at 125 East Court Street on the 9th floor.
The Hamilton County Juvenile Court is located at 800 Broadway Cincinnati, Ohio. We also have a Public Defender office at 800 Broadway, on the first floor.
The Hamilton County Juvenile Court Youth Center is located at 2020 Auburn Ave. Cincinnati, Ohio. A staff attorney is at the Youth Center every morning Monday thru Friday, representing children who are detained at their first hearing.*
The Youth Defense Division represents parents (legal guardians) charged with non-support of their children (dependents) as well as parents charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor and child endangerment. If you are in need of an attorney, one can be acquired at the Public Defender office at 800 Broadway on the first floor.

Our Mission:

To provide indigent clients with zealous and competent representation through education, continuous training and vast legal knowledge.
To always give each child a voice throughout the entire delinquency process.
To ensure that each child’s statutory and constitutional rights are recognized and protected.
To advocate for the expressed interests and individualized needs of child clients in support of their future success.
To address youth justice and combat systemic racism
To never forget the child comes first.

*Please note that due to COVID-19, representation is currently taking place virtually for this hearing.