The Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia

The Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia provides quality legal representation to indigent adults & children facing a loss of liberty.

It is the mission of the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia (PDS) to provide and promote quality legal representation to indigent adults and children facing a loss of liberty in the District of Columbia, thereby protecting society's interest in the fair administration of justice.

PDS offices will close at 2 p.m. on Friday, September 4, 2026, and remain closed on Monday, September 7, 2026, in observ...
09/03/2026

PDS offices will close at 2 p.m. on Friday, September 4, 2026, and remain closed on Monday, September 7, 2026, in observance of Labor Day.

The D.C. Courts will operate on a holiday schedule on September 7, except for Adult Arraignment Court (C-10), Juvenile New Referral Court (JM-15), and scheduled preventive detention hearing courtrooms.

Observed annually on the first Monday in September, Labor Day honors the contributions and achievements of American workers. The holiday grew out of the late 19th-century labor movement and recognizes the essential role workers have played in our nation’s strength, prosperity, and well-being.

This Labor Day, we extend our heartfelt thanks to our staff, interns, law clerks, alumni, and Board members for your dedication to our mission and to the clients we serve. We are grateful for all that you do to advance justice and strengthen public defense.

Wishing everyone a safe and restful Labor Day weekend!

On this National Intern Day, we want to shout out all our incredible summer 2026 interns! We continue to be inspired by ...
07/30/2026

On this National Intern Day, we want to shout out all our incredible summer 2026 interns! We continue to be inspired by your creativity, passion, and energy every day. Thank you for your dedication and hard work on behalf of our clients.

Shout out to our amazing summer 2026 law clerks! We are so grateful for your dedication, passion, and energy every day. ...
07/30/2026

Shout out to our amazing summer 2026 law clerks! We are so grateful for your dedication, passion, and energy every day. Thank you for your meaningful work on behalf of our clients.

PDS will be closed on Friday, July 3, 2026, in observance of the Federal Independence Day holiday.Please note that the c...
07/02/2026

PDS will be closed on Friday, July 3, 2026, in observance of the Federal Independence Day holiday.

Please note that the courts will operate on a Holiday Schedule that day: Adult Arraignment Court (C-10), Juvenile New Referrals (JM-15), and scheduled preventive detention courtrooms will be in session.

We extend our deepest thanks to the colleagues who will be working on July 3 and July 4 to ensure our clients are seen and supported, and to keep everything moving smoothly. We’re grateful for your dedication and care.

This July 4, we celebrate the ideals of liberty, justice, and equality that are at the heart of our nation’s founding. We recognize that these principles are strengthened when every person—regardless of income or circumstance—has access to fair treatment under the law and the protections guaranteed by the Constitution.

We are proud to serve our community and uphold the rights that help make justice accessible for all.

Wishing everyone a safe and meaningful Fourth of July.

In honor of Juneteenth, PDS will be closed on Friday, June 19, 2026. While we pause to reflect on this important day in ...
06/18/2026

In honor of Juneteenth, PDS will be closed on Friday, June 19, 2026. While we pause to reflect on this important day in our nation’s history, please note that the courts will operate on a holiday schedule, including:

• Adult Arraignment Court (C-10)
• Juvenile New Referrals (JM-15)
• Scheduled preventive detention courtrooms

We offer our sincere gratitude to the team members who will be working on Juneteenth to ensure the continued representation of and support for our clients.

It is with profound sadness that we share the news that Ms. Jeanette Long passed away on Friday.Just a few months ago, o...
06/15/2026

It is with profound sadness that we share the news that Ms. Jeanette Long passed away on Friday.

Just a few months ago, on January 30, Ms. Long celebrated her 96th birthday. Today, we honor a remarkable woman whose kindness, grace, and generosity left an indelible mark on PDS, the court community, and the countless lives she touched.

For 47 years, Ms. Long served in the Defender Services Office and became a beloved member of the PDS family. To many, she was simply “The Fabulous One”—a title that reflected the warmth, joy, and spirit she brought to everyone fortunate enough to know her.

Ms. Long always put clients and coworkers first. Whether through encouragement, practical help, humor, or simply listening, she had a gift for making people feel valued and cared for. She was also known for her extraordinary memory. If you needed to remember a former PDS employee or member of the court community, the answer was simple: ask Ms. Long. Her ability to remember people reflected how deeply she cared about them.

To many, Ms. Long was more than a colleague. She was a mentor, a friend, and family. She embodied the very best of PDS—service, dignity, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to others.

Though she retired several years ago, she never truly left the PDS family. Her warmth, friendship, and encouragement continued to touch so many lives, and her legacy will endure for generations.

We extend our deepest condolences to her son, her family, and all who loved her.

We are better for having known her, and we will miss her dearly.

PDS offices will close at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, May 22, 2026, and remain closed on Monday, May 25, 2026, in observance of...
05/21/2026

PDS offices will close at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, May 22, 2026, and remain closed on Monday, May 25, 2026, in observance of Memorial Day.

The D.C. Courts will operate on a holiday schedule on May 25. The courts will be closed except for the Adult Arraignment Court (C-10), the Juvenile New Referral Court (JM-15), and scheduled preventive detention hearing courtrooms.

As always, we are deeply grateful to the PDS staff who will be available to handle these matters and ensure continued representation for our clients during the holiday.

This Memorial Day, we also extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to the PDS staff and alumni who have served our country. We honor and remember those whose service and sacrifice made that service possible.

Wishing everyone a safe and restful holiday weekend.

05/19/2026

THANK YOU to our incredible community, partners, volunteers, and PDS staff for helping make this year’s Second Chance, Second Hand event such a meaningful success on Saturday, April 25!

The event provided free legal consultations on record sealing and other legal matters, while also connecting community members with resources, support, and opportunities for a fresh start.

A very special shout-out goes to the staff of PDS’s Juvenile Services Program (JSP), whose vision, creativity, and leadership brought this event to life. From the initial concept and planning to the logistics, on-site management, and coordination, JSP led this effort with extraordinary care and commitment to the people we serve every day.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who contributed their time, energy, and heart to making this event possible. ❤️

✨Happy National Receptionist Day! ✨ Today, we celebrate our incredible receptionists who are the first point of contact ...
05/13/2026

✨Happy National Receptionist Day! ✨ Today, we celebrate our incredible receptionists who are the first point of contact for our clients and the backbone of our organization. Your dedication, professionalism, and warm smiles make a world of difference in ensuring everyone feels welcomed and supported. Thank you for your hard work and commitment to PDS and its clients!

Address

633 3rd Street, NW
Washington D.C., DC
20001

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+12026281200

Website

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