The Public Defender represents persons charged with criminal offenses who cannot afford to hire a private attorney. The Senior Resident Superior Court Judge appoints the Public Defender for a term of four years. Defendants assigned by the court are represented by the Public Defender's Office at the State's expense.
Attorneys in the Public Defender's Office handle misdemeanor and felony trials and represent defendants on motions for appropriate relief. The Public Defender also represents persons who are facing involuntary commitment for mental illness, alcohol problems or drug abuse, as well as juveniles who are charged as delinquents.
Kevin P. Tully
was sworn in as Public Defender on July 1, 2007. Mr. Tully has worked in various positions with the Mecklenburg County Public Defender’s Office since 1989. He received his law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law in 1989. Mr. Tully supervises the largest Public Defender’s Office in North Carolina.