Nashville Public Defender’s Office - 50-Plus Years of Legal Excellence

By Rachael Hesling

Introduction

Throughout its history in the region, the Public Defender’s Office of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County has worked to provide top-quality legal services in matters such as juvenile defense. Founded in 1961 as a private act of the Tennessee legislature, the Nashville Public Defender’s Office initially operated out of the Metropolitan Courthouse in Nashville. After several years, the office split into two primary divisions: the Adult or Criminal Division and the Juvenile Division.

Juvenile Division

Today, the Juvenile Division of the Nashville Public Defender’s Office has emerged as a leader in the field of juvenile defense and intervention. Attorneys in the office set out to divert at-risk youth from the juvenile justice system and steer them toward effective educational services. The office regularly represents clients in individualized education program team meetings, formal discipline proceedings, and 504 plan meetings. Additionally, through the guardian ad litem program, attorneys advocate for the best interests of children in sensitive family court cases.