Miami-Dade Public Defender's Office

05/12/2026

This year, we once again join NAMIWalks for Mental Health Awareness in honor of Assistant Public Defender’s Erica Gerstin and Paul Kaminsky, whose dedication to protecting the rights of individuals living with mental illness continues to inspire our office every day.

By walking in their memory, we reaffirm our commitment to
Mental health awareness, support, and advocacy for the many clients and families impacted by mental illness. Over the past several years,
Our staff, Paul and Erica’s families, our friends and others, have helped raise nearly $30,000 to support NAMI’s vital mental health programs and services. Whether you walk, donate or help spread the word, your support truly makes a difference.

I'm supporting NAMI!

03/02/2026

We are grateful to Grant Miller and Community Newspapers for hosting such a meaningful community breakfast. Thank you for bringing people together for real conversation and connection, and we appreciate the space you created for it.
Thank you to our Public Defender for sharing his time, insight, and commitment to the people we serve. We are proud of the way he engages with the community and speak about the work our office does every day.

We also appreciated sharing the spotlight with Juan Fernandez-Barquin, Miami-Dade Clerk of the Court and Comptroller, and being part of such an informative morning together.

Thank you to everyone who joined us early. It was great to see so many elected officials, friends, and community partners working toward stronger communities.

Grant, thank you for your continued dedication to keeping our community informed and connected. It truly makes a difference.

02/23/2026

Start your morning with us on Thursday, February 26 at 7:30 a.m. at the Community Newspapers monthly networking breakfast at Casacuba.

I am grateful for the invitation and honored to join Clerk of the Court and Comptroller Juan Fernandez Barquin as a featured guest speaker.

Come learn more about the work of the Public Defender’s Office, our constitutional duty to represent people who cannot afford an attorney, and my commitment to strengthening fairness and justice for everyone who lives, works, and visits South Florida.

You will also hear about the work of the Clerk of Courts and Comptroller.

We look forward to seeing you there. RSVP: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/eujc926?source_id=22ab5f87-a3f2-4c34-9069-b908d59e7053&source_type=em&c=wJIfPQgxPT9Ms0e19kGLGpAp7kGizNUGGa2VSwuBK-hP_-Exa7tY4w==