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Robert J. Hirsh, Pima County Public Defender |
| ~ A society that will trade a little liberty for a little order will lose both, and deserve neither. ~ -- Thomas Jefferson |
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Robert Hirsh was appointed the Pima County Public Defender upon former Public Defender Robert Hooker’s untimely death on April 1, 2008. Before coming to the Public Defender's Office with Robert Hooker in 2005, Hirsh had been a criminal defense practitioner in Pima County since 1964. He was a co-recipient and honoree of the year of both the Southern Arizona Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, and the Southern California Civil Liberties Union in 1986. Hirsh was a recipient of the Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice John J. Flynn Award in 1994. He served on the Pima County Commission on Trial Court Appointments. Hirsh is a Founding Member and former President of Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice and a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers. In 2005 he was awarded the Tom Karas Criminal Justice Award by the State Bar of Arizona. Hirsh is listed in the Best Lawyers in America, Rev. Ed. 1-VIII.
Lori J. Lefferts began her career with the Pima County Public Defenders Office in 1987 as a felony trial attorney, and later concentrated on post-conviction litigation in the appeals division. She rejoined the trial unit as a team leader in 2005 until her appointment to Chief Assistant in 2008. A 1985 graduate of the University of Arizona College of Law, Ms. Lefferts was a member of Law Review, and authored The NFL Players Association's Certification Plan: Is it Exempt From Antitrust Review? 26 Arizona Law Review 699 (1984). She is a frequent speaker on the Fourth Amendment, and was counsel of record on reported cases in the area, including State v. Gonzalez-Gutierrez, 187 Ariz. 116, 927 P.2d 776 (1996), State v. Stricklin, 191 Ariz. 245, 955 P.2d 1 (App.1996), and State v. Bentlage, 192 Ariz. 117, 961 P.2d 1065 (App.1998). Ms. Lefferts was the 2008 recipient of the Tom Karas Indigent Defense Award presented by the Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice.
All of us in the Public Defenders Office recognize the need to be vigilant and challenge the justice system to ensure that it meets the promises of the state & federal constitution. The Public Defenders Office is committed to fairness in the justice system. We believe that the rights of the weakest in society must be protected for the benefit of us all and that the protection of the liberty of one, is the protection of the liberty of all. We in our office understand that we can be a powerful tool in securing justice by ensuring that the rights provided for by the state & federal constitution be upheld.
Our Goals and Objectives are as follows:
- To ensure the fair, unbiased, and equitable application of criminal justice in Pima County.
- To stand united in the commitment to serve, honor, and protect the constitutional rights of the Citizens of Pima County.
- To remain steadfastly dedicated to the principle that no citizen shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without competent, professional, and vigorous representation.
- To support our clients as diligent and conscientious advocates and maintain the highest levels of professional integrity.
- To represent all of our clients with respect and compassion.
- To provide the highest quality legal representation to any person unable to afford such representation in a criminal defense case.
In Memory of
ROBERT HOOKER
1942-2008
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With great sorrow the Office the Pima County Public Defender announces the passing of Robert Hooker. We will sorely miss our leader and friend. |
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