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PROCLAMATION Public Defense Recognition Week March 2026 WHEREAS, March 18, 2026, marks the 63rd anniversary of the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Gideon v. Wainwright, in which the United States Supreme Court ruled that the United States Constitution’s Sixth Amendment right to the assistance of counsel is essential to a fair trial and requires the appointment of counsel for indigent defendants accused of felonies in state court; and WHEREAS, the Supreme Court recognized in Gideon that “. . . lawyers in criminal courts are necessities, not luxuries;” and WHEREAS, Maricopa County has long upheld and affirmed the guarantee of the Sixth Amendment’s right to counsel, recognizing counsel as essential to the fairness of criminal proceedings; and WHEREAS, Maricopa County established the Office of Public Defense Services, comprised of five separate legal offices: the Office of the Public Defender, Office of the Legal Defender, Office of the Legal Advocate, Office of the Public Advocate, and Office of Contract Counsel; and WHEREAS, Maricopa County Public Defense Services' attorneys and support staff continue to work tirelessly to represent their clients and uphold the rights set forth in the United States Constitution by providing essential, constitutionally-guaranteed legal services to those who would not otherwise have access to representation; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors does hereby proclaim that the week of March 16, 2026, shall be recognized as “Public Defense Recognition Week” in appreciation of the essential role played by the attorneys and staff of Public Defense Services and in upholding the Sixth Amendment guarantee of counsel and protecting the fundamental right to a fair trial. DATED this _____ Day of March, 2026. Attest: ____________________________ __________________________________ Kate Brophy McGee, Chair, District 3 __________________________________ Debbie Lesko, Vice Chair, District 4 __________________________________ Mark Stewart, Supervisor, District 1 __________________________________ Thomas Galvin, Supervisor, District 2 __________________________________ Steve Gallardo, Supervisor, District 5 Juanita Garza, Clerk of the Board Maricopa County