Committee for Public Counsel Services

Law PracticeMassachusetts, United States501-1000 Employees

Based in Boston, Massachusetts, the Committee for Public Counsel Services is a state agency that ensures the right to counsel for people who cannot afford an attorney in criminal and related civil matters. It is governed by a 15-member board appointed by the Governor, the Speaker of the House, the President of the Senate, and the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. The agency provides representation across a wide range of cases where counsel is required, including criminal prosecutions, delinquency and youth offender matters, child welfare, mental health, and sex offender registry proceedings, as well as related appeals and post-conviction reviews.

Legal work is carried out by a mix of staff and private attorneys, roughly 500 staff attorneys supported by about 3,000 private attorneys certified to handle appointments, under the supervision of specialized divisions. The organization’s operations are structured into divisions such as Private Counsel and Public Defender for criminal cases, Children and Family Law for child welfare, Youth Advocacy for delinquency and related issues, Mental Health Litigation for guardianships and commitments, and an Immigration Impact Unit that provides training and guidance on immigration consequences. In 2023, JusticeText Inc. announced a partnership with CPCS to support its work.

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