The Bay County Department of the Public Defender provides representation to criminal defendants who cannot afford an attorney. The attorneys in the Department of the Public Defender are employed by Bay County but work for the benefit of their clients. In Bay County, the Department of the Public Defender is under the County Executive Administration per Act 139 of 1973.
Public Defender Staff
- The Department of Public Defender is staffed by four attorneys.
- Mike Huber supervises the office and primarily handles felonies in District and Circuit Court.
- Aaron Hetherington primarily handles felonies in District and Circuit Court.
- Julia Caprathe primarily handles cases arising out of the juvenile code including delinquency proceedings and abuse and neglect cases.
- Andrew Bonnell primarily handles misdemeanor cases in District Court.
