Are you in need of a Public Defender in the Toombs Judicial Circuit?
This circuit serves Glascock, Lincoln, McDuffie, Taliaferro, Warren, and Wilkes Counties.
If you're facing legal challenges in these counties, Circuit Public Defender Caryn Lobdell is here to help. Call 706-595-7650 for assistance.
Know your rights and reach out to the support you deserve.
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Diego Aponte, a Georgia Tech student, is interning with GPDC’s Atlanta Central Office. With aspirations in product design and user research, Diego joined GPDC to strengthen his design thinking skills while contributing to an agency committed to serving its users with care and integrity.
Guided by the words of Ken Robinson, "If you’re not prepared to be wrong, you’ll never come up with anything original". Diego approaches his work with curiosity, creativity, and a focus on impact.
One of his proudest achievements during the internship has been researching and designing an effective interactive layout to improve the user experience. Seeing his work progress and knowing it will make someone’s experience easier has been deeply rewarding.
We’re proud to support emerging professionals like Diego who bring innovation and purpose to public service.
#GPDC #InternSpotlight #PublicDefense
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GPDC proudly celebrates the graduation of our 2024–2025 Leadership Academy class, created in partnership with the UGA Carl Vinson Institute of Government. Over the past year, these public defenders completed 28 days of intensive training in leadership, communication, and project management to better serve Georgia’s indigent defense system.
Their capstone projects tackled real challenges, from mentorship frameworks to reentry resources, community partnerships for youth in detention, and tools for early-career attorneys. Many of these initiatives are now under review for implementation.
The 2025–2026 Leadership Academy launches this fall, continuing our mission to grow leaders who defend the rights of Georgia’s most vulnerable.
Learn more about the event here:
gapubdef.org/georgia-public-defender-council-honors-leadership-academy-graduates-announces-contin....
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The Georgia Public Defender Council proudly honored retired Chief Justice Norman S. Fletcher with our inaugural Legacy Award in recognition of his visionary leadership and lifelong commitment to justice. Chief Justice Fletcher’s efforts were instrumental in establishing GPDC and reshaping indigent defense in Georgia.
We also celebrated the first recipient of the Justice Norman S. Fletcher Excellence in Public Defense Award: Sherry D. Widner, Public Defender for the Pataula Judicial Circuit, whose tireless service and compassion exemplify the values we stand for.
Read the full story:
gapubdef.org/georgia-public-defender-council-honors-chief-justice-norman-s-fletcher-with-new-awar...
#PublicDefense #Leadership #GeorgiaJustice #GPDC #IndigentDefense #LegacyAward
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Honoring a Legacy of Justice
Earlier this week, the Georgia Public Defender Council presented the inaugural Justice Norman S. Fletcher Excellence in Public Defense Award to Sherry D. Widner, Public Defender for the Pataula Judicial Circuit.
This new award honors retired Chief Justice Norman S. Fletcher, whose powerful call for indigent defense reform in 2003 led to the creation of GPDC. At 91, Justice Fletcher joined us in Athens at GPDC’s Summer Conference to receive the Legacy Award and celebrate Sherry’s extraordinary service to her clients and community.
Sherry’s compassion, advocacy, and commitment to public defense embody the very values this award represents.
Read more about the event and Sherry’s story:
gapubdef.org/georgia-public-defender-council-honors-chief-justice-norman-s-fletcher-with-new-awar...
#PublicDefense #GPDC #JusticeForAll
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Celebrating a Legacy of Justice
On Monday, July 21, the Georgia Public Defender Council opened our 2025 Summer Conference with a special tribute to one of Georgia’s most respected judicial leaders: Justice Norman Fletcher.
During our Awards Banquet & Reception, we presented the inaugural Justice Norman Fletcher Public Defender Award, honoring a defender whose service exemplifies the courage, integrity, and commitment to equal justice that Justice Fletcher championed throughout his career.
As the former Chief Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court, Justice Fletcher played a pivotal role in establishing a professional and independent public defense system in Georgia. His legacy continues to shape our mission and inspire the defenders working on the front lines every day.
We are proud to honor his impact and to celebrate the future of public defense in Georgia.
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That’s what the US Supreme Court decided in 1963 when it required states to provide criminal defense attorneys for accused persons who could not afford them. As Georgia public defenders, we listen to our clients. We care about their well-being and most importantly, we work to maximize our client’s post-release opportunities.
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