San Benito County contracts Public Defender services to provide representation to those financially unable to employ counsel and who are charged with the commission of any contempt or criminal offense triable in the Superior Courts of the County at all stages of the proceedings. In most cases, the San Benito County Court will determine eligibility and assign a public defender at the first courtroom appearance at arraignment.

There are three levels of representation. All have similar duties, except the first-level public defender(s). First-level public defender(s) handle more cases and have three (3) attorneys working under the contract. 

Services include: 

1. Appointment in criminal cases (Penal Code 987);
2. Juvenile delinquency proceedings (Welfare and Institutions Code Sections 634 and 700);
3. Juvenile dependency cases (Welfare and Institutions Code Sections 317 and 353);
4. Lanterman - Petris -Short Act Proceedings (Welfare and Institutions Code Sections 5276, 5302,5350 and 5365);
5. Family law proceedings (Family Code 3150);
6. Probation code conservatorship (Probate Code 1471);
7. Habeas Corpus proceedings pertinent to underlying criminal cases; and 
8. All instances in which Court of San Benito County has authority to appoint counsel. 

Level one (1) representation is contracted to San Benito Defenders, Inc. (Harry Damkar; Contract term May 01, 2024 - April 30, 2026) 

Office Location: 339 7th St. Suite F, Hollister, CA 95023
Phone Number: 831-638-1900
Office Hours: Monday - Friday, except observed Holidays
                        8:30 am to noon; 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm. Closed for Lunch 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Level two (2) representation is contracted to Pamela Brown (Contract Term: May 07, 2024 - May 01, 2026 )

Office Location: 390 5th St, Hollister, CA 95023
Phone number: 831-313-1933
Office Hours: Monday - Friday, except observed Holidays
                         9:00 am - noon; 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm. Closed for Lunch 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

• Due to experience, delinquency cases ("Juvenile Justice") will be represented by Pamela Brown. 

The County Board of Supervisors on June 04, 2024 authorized release of a Request for Proposals for Tier 3 Public Defender Services. Information will be updated upon award and execution of tier three contract.