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Maricopa County proclaims March 16 as Public Defense Recognition Week, board praises defenders’ work
Summary
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors unanimously proclaimed the week of March 16, 2026, as Public Defense Recognition Week, citing Gideon v. Wainwright and thanking public defenders and support staff; public speakers used the item to press the board on transparency in its own proceedings.
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a proclamation recognizing the week of March 16, 2026, as Public Defense Recognition Week, saying the county "upholds and affirms" the Sixth Amendment right to counsel and thanking public defenders, investigators, social workers and support staff for their work.
Chair Kate Brophy McGee read the proclamation on March 11, citing the 1963 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Gideon v. Wainwright and describing the county’s public defense system as comprised of five offices including the Office of the Public Defender and the Office of the Legal Defender. The board then moved and passed the proclamation by unanimous voice vote.
The proclamation framed public defense as essential to fair trials and said county public defense staff provide constitutionally guaranteed legal services to people who otherwise could not afford counsel. After the vote, several supervisors offered remarks praising the workload and volunteer efforts of public defenders and related staff. Supervisor Gallardo highlighted community outreach events, including restorations‑of‑rights clinics that include volunteer attorneys.
During the public comment period tied to the item, two speakers raised procedural questions about the board’s own transparency. Lesie Shepard asked what steps the board takes to ensure that the constitutional principles referenced in the proclamation are also upheld in the board’s meeting procedures and decision making. Lori Baron made related comments about whether agenda items placed on the consent calendar receive sufficient public notice and response. Both public commenters were heard before the proclamation was read.
The board did not alter the proclamation based on those comments; it proceeded with the unanimous approval. The chair said the county appreciates public defenders’ work and thanked staff for their service.
The proclamation now stands adopted; no additional fiscal or programmatic changes were announced as part of the action. The board moved on to subsequent consent and regular agenda items following the vote.
