Description of the Monroe County Public Defender’s Office

The Monroe County Public Defender’s Office is an office that provides legal representation to individuals in criminal court and family court proceedings who are unable to afford to hire an attorney, also known as indigent individuals. The Public Defender’s Office is a branch of the Monroe County Government that was founded to fulfill the constitutional obligation of each county in New York State to provide indigent legal defense. 

Guided by the requirements of the constitutions of the United States and of New York and the New York rules of legal ethics, the attorneys and staff of this office strive to ensure that each client receives high quality and zealous representation. Throughout its history, the Monroe County Public Defender’s Office has focused on a client-centered representation model.

The Monroe County Public Defender’s Office represents clients in the following types of cases:

• Criminal Court Bureaus (Town Court Bureau, City Court Bureau, Non-Violent Felony Bureau, Violent Felony Bureau): We represent defendants who have matters pending criminal courts.  We represent defendants in criminal proceedings in town, village, city, county, and supreme Courts.  
   
• Family Court Bureau: We represent indigent litigants in Family Court on cases involving custody, visitation, family offenses, abuse, neglect, paternity and allegations of willful violations of court orders. 
   
• Appeals Bureau: We represent individuals on appeal of criminal convictions and sentences, orders affecting parental rights, and sex offender risk level classifications as well as in other post-conviction state court proceedings.

The Monroe County Public Defender’s Office staff engages in teaching and training of attorneys around the state, and has been recognized for those efforts with the Monroe County Bar Association Raymond J. Pauley Award. 

At the Monroe County Public Defender's Office (MCPDO), our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice is intricately woven into our mission as champions of justice and advocates for the indigent. Our dedication to these core principles shapes our approach to legal representation and defines our role as leaders within the legal community.

The Monroe County Public Defender

 Julie A. Cianca, Esq.

 Appointed by the Monroe County Legislature, Julie A. Cianca, Esq. brings decades of  legal experience, leadership, and unwavering commitment to justice in her role as Monroe County’s Public Defender. A respected advocate for equity and due process, Ms. Cianca oversees a multidisciplinary team that provides high-quality legal defense to individuals who cannot afford an attorney, ensuring constitutional rights are upheld for all.

Under her leadership, the Monroe County Public Defender’s Office continues to expand its focus on holistic and client-centered defense, incorporating trauma-informed practices, community partnerships, and support services that address the underlying issues driving criminal system involvement. With a clear vision for fairness and access, Ms. Cianca champions reform, mentors the next generation of public defenders, and ensures that the office remains a voice for the voiceless in Monroe County.

Job opportunities

The Monroe County Public Defender’s Office is now hiring for the following positions:

• Staff Attorney - Appellate Bureau
• Public Defender Assistant Grade II
• Special Urban Investigator (Public Defender’s Office)

For other open positions, please see the Monroe County Civil Service page.

🏛️ Legal Internship Opportunities

Monroe County Public Defender’s Office
Building the Next Generation of Public Defenders and Justice Advocates

The Monroe County Public Defender’s Office (MCPDO) offers structured legal internship opportunities throughout the academic year and summer for law school, undergraduate, and high school students interested in public defense, criminal justice, and social equity.

⚖️ Internship Tracks

🔹 Law School Internships (Fall, Spring, Summer)

Law students are paired directly with experienced Assistant Public Defenders to support:

• Legal research and writing

• Drafting motions and legal memoranda

• Investigative and case preparation support

• Observation and participation in hearings, trials, and client interviews

The Summer Legal Internship Program is a full-time, two-month experience that includes:

• Legal and trial practice training sessions

• Mentorship from senior attorneys

• Direct exposure to court proceedings

• Possible courtroom appearances under a New York State Judicial Practice Order (22 NYCRR Part 1200.52)

🔸 Undergraduate & High School Internships (Fall, Spring, Summer)

Students will:

• Shadow legal professionals and support staff

• Assist with administrative and case-related tasks

• Participate in justice-education activities

• Attend tours, Q&A sessions, and courtroom observations

These internships are designed to spark early interest in law, advocacy, and public service careers.

📅 Internship Application Schedule (Standardized)

✅ Now Accepting Applications for:

Fall 2025 Internship Cohort

📥 How to Apply

Students interested in interning with our office should submit:

• A resume

• A cover letter expressing your interest, availability, and any areas of focus

Please email all materials to:

Vincent I. French, MAT, CAS
Chair, Internship Committee
📧 [email protected]

📞 Contact Us

Monroe County Public Defender’s Office
Committed to Equal Justice Under Law

Main Office Address:
Monroe County Public Defender’s Office
📍 10 North Fitzhugh Street, 2nd Floor
Rochester, NY 14614

Main Phone:
📞 (585) 753-4210
(Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM)

Email:
✉️ [email protected]