The Committee for Public Counsel Services is the Massachusetts state agency providing legal representation to people who cannot afford an attorney through staff defenders and contracted panel lawyers.
The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is the Massachusetts state agency responsible for providing legal representation to people who cannot afford an attorney. Established by the Massachusetts Legislature in 1983, it operates offices across the Commonwealth and covers a broad docket of criminal and civil matters, among them delinquency, youthful offender, child welfare, guardianship, mental health and sexually dangerous person cases, as well as appeals and post-conviction proceedings.
Representation is delivered through two main routes. Staff public defenders handle cases directly across the agency's practice areas. The Private Counsel Division contracts with assigned private panel attorneys throughout Massachusetts and, by the agency's account, serves approximately 80% of adult indigent clients.
CPCS also runs specialised divisions that pair targeted advocacy with training. The Youth Advocacy Division (YAD) focuses on delinquency and youthful offender matters; the Mental Health Litigation Division (MHLD) covers mental health litigation; and the Immigration Impact Unit advises on the immigration consequences of criminal and other proceedings.
Its stated commitments include zealous advocacy, community-oriented defence and the protection of clients' fundamental constitutional and human rights.
