Welcome to Our Website

Welcome to the website for the Vermont Office of the Defender General. You will find resources for legal research and practice, links to other legal web sites, information on our staff and contract offices, staff resources and information, and much more.

In 1972, the Office of the Defender General began providing constitutionally required representation to needy persons charged with serious crimes. The Office is also statutorily required to provide counsel to children who are the subject of juvenile proceedings as alleged delinquents; to parties in juvenile proceedings including children in need of care and supervision (CHINS) as required by the interests of justice; to children in the custody of the Commissioner of the Department for Children and Families; to persons in the custody of the Commissioner of Corrections; and, to needy persons in extradition, or probation or parole revocation proceedings.

Since 1972, the Office of the Defender General has evolved into a complex service delivery system consisting of two separate programs, Public Defense and Assigned Counsel. We have seven county staff offices with approximately 40 attorneys and a variety of support staff, including investigators, secretaries, case managers and case aides.  In addition, the Office manages over 100 contractors under both programs, and more than 100 ad hoc counsel handling conflict cases.  In total, the Office handles approximately 20,000 cases each year.

I am proud of all that the Office has accomplished over the years. We hope you find this web site useful, and welcome you to contact our department for additional information on the services we provide.

Thank you,

Matthew F. Valerio
Defender General

Office of the Defender General
6 Baldwin Street, 4th Floor
Montpelier, VT  05633-3301
(802) 828-3168
(802) 828-3163 (fax)