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Good morning,
One of my goals of this newsletter, and now with the Inside Pima County with Rex Scott podcast, has and will always be to help residents better understand the many departments, programs and services Pima County provides. We'd especially like to highlight those that may not get a lot of attention but play an important role in our community.
Public Defense Services certainly fits that description.
Most people are familiar with the idea of a public defender, but Pima County Public Defense Services scope is much broader than the Public Defender's Office. The department helps fulfill our constitutional responsibility to ensure that people who are entitled to legal representation have access to it, regardless of their ability to pay.
Public Defense Services oversees several different offices, each with a specific role in our justice system. In addition to the Public Defender's Office, those include the Legal Defender, Legal Advocate, Office of Court Appointed Counsel, Office of Children's Counsel, Mental Health Defender and Public Fiduciary. Their work ranges from criminal defense and juvenile cases to representing children in dependency proceedings and assisting vulnerable adults who may have no one else able to advocate on their behalf.
It is complicated work, and much of it happens outside of public view. Once someone is arrested, charged and qualifies for appointed representation, the County has a constitutional responsibility to provide that representation.
The department's work can also continue after a case is over. Through its legal clinic, Public Defense Services assists eligible residents with issues such as sealing records, restoring civil rights, setting aside convictions and having certain offenses designated as misdemeanors. These services can make a meaningful difference for someone trying to move forward, find employment and rebuild their life.
Inside Pima County with Rex Scott
In the latest episode of Inside Pima County with Rex Scott, I sit down with Dean Brault, Director of Public Defense Services to talk about a department that most residents will hopefully never need, but one that is essential to a fair and functioning justice system.
Dean has spent nearly 30 years as a public defender, and his commitment to this work comes through in our conversation. As he told me, some of the most rewarding moments are seeing former clients successfully navigate the justice system, complete probation, return from incarceration and move forward with their lives.
I hope you'll take some time to listen. It's another opportunity to learn a little more about the people and departments working every day on behalf of Pima County residents.
LINKS:
Rex
My Guest Opinion regarding the July Primary
Both the Tucson Sentinel and the Arizona Daily Star (tucson.com) published a guest opinion I wrote about Party Not Designated (independent) voters in Primary Elections. Below is a snippet of the published article, along with links to the full text.
Local opinion: The rights of independent voters and low voter turnout (TucsonSentinel.com)
With the July 21 primary election behind us, there has been a lot of talk in the community about low voter turnout for that election. Just under 29% of eligible voters returned a ballot. However, for more than a third of our voters, the turnout number was even lower, most likely because Arizona state law requires them to take an extra step in order to participate in primary elections.
If you register as a Party Not Designated (or independent) voter, you are part of the fastest growing segment of the electorate. In 2020, there were just under 170,000 independent voters in Pima County.
That number has grown to slightly under 220,000 voters in the last six years. There are almost 647,000 total registered voters countywide.
...Open primaries, where all candidates who want to move forward to the general election for any office compete, are the only way to ensure that all voters have an equal say in who represents them. The two parties should welcome, not oppose, this necessary reform.
Links to full article:
 Southern Arizona employers looking for new ways to strengthen their talent pipelines are invited to the JTED Foundation’s Transformation Summit 2026, taking place September 1, 2026, at the Tucson Convention Center. Learn more
 Join the Pima County/Tucson Women's Commission as we mark an amazing milestone—the 50th Anniversary Celebration! Don't miss out on an inspiring evening filled with stories, achievements, and a look back at five decades of empowering women in our community. Let’s celebrate together and honor the incredible journey on Women's Equality Day! This event is free to attend with RSVP, so be sure to grab your ticket and share this with a friend. Light appetizers and a cash bar will be available. RSVP HERE
Inside Pima County with Rex Scott
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The Transportation Master Plan will address all 9,189 square miles of Pima County and include 2,200 miles of roadway, along with pedestrian, bicycle, transit, and paratransit infrastructure. By sharing your comments, concerns, and local knowledge, you can help improve mobility throughout the region.
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