ASA/APD

In the theater of the American criminal justice system, two key figures stand on opposing sides of the courtroom: the Public Defender and the State Attorney. While both are lawyers who dedicate their careers to the public sector, their fundamental roles, daily responsibilities, and ultimate goals are distinctly different. The Assistant Public Defender (APD) serves as the legal advocate for the accused who cannot afford a private attorney, while the Assistant State Attorney (ASA) represents the state, prosecuting individuals believed to have committed crimes.

Assistant Public Defenders and Assistant State Attorneys are two sides of the same adversarial coin, both essential for the proper functioning of the criminal justice system. While their daily tasks and ultimate objectives are diametrically opposed, both roles demand a deep understanding of the law, strong advocacy skills, and a commitment to public service.

The Miami-Dade Bar supports ASAs and APDs that demonstrate that they believe professionalism is vital to the criminal justice system, and strive to work professionally with opposing counsel, while still zealously advocating their position. We provide scholarships to ASAs and APDs with at least one year of experience. To apply, fill out the application below.

Join us as we celebrate this year’s incoming class of APDs and ASAs. During this annual event, we’re excited to bring together new lawyers and experienced attorneys with roots in the government industry to network and collaborate on shared experiences. With food, drinks, and live music, this is going to be an amazing event with special VIP guests.