Federal Public Defender for the Southern District of West Virginia

"Lawyers in a criminal case are necessities, not luxuries....[I]n our adversary system of justice, any person haled into court, who is too poor to hire a lawyer, cannot be assured a fair trial unless counsel is provided for him. This seems to us to be an obvious truth."- Gideon v. Wainwright, 372 U.S. 335, 344 (1963).

The Federal Public Defender represents clients in the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia and the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. Our clients are represented by a team of experienced trial attorneys assisted by skilled investigators and support staff. We are committed to using innovative strategies and technology in the courtroom to provide our clients superior representation against criminal charges in the Federal Courts.

Please see our Mission Statement.

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Listen to our most recent episode now:
December 2024 Fourth Circuit and Supreme Court Update

Your Employee Rights and How to Report Wrongful Conduct

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MAIN OFFICE
Robert C. Byrd United States Courthouse
300 Virginia Street, East, Suite 3400
Charleston, West Virginia 25301
Phone: 304-347-3350
Facsimile: 304-347-3356
Directions / Map

UNSTAFFED OFFICES

BECKLEY
Robert C. Byrd U. S. Courthouse, Basement
110 North Heber Street
Beckley, West Virginia 24801
Map

BLUEFIELD
Elizabeth Kee Federal Building, Third Floor
601 Federal Street
Bluefield, West Virginia 24701
Map

HUNTINGTON
Sidney L. Christie Federal Building, Third Floor
845 Fifth Avenue
Huntington, West Virginia 25701
Map

NOTICE TO USERS

This is a restricted government system for official judiciary business only. All activities on this system for any purpose, and all access attempts, may be recorded and monitored or reviewed by persons authorized by the federal judiciary for improper use, protection of system security, performance of maintenance, and appropriate management by the judiciary of its systems. By using this system or any connected system, users expressly consent to system monitoring and to official access to data reviewed and created by them on the system. Any evidence of unlawful activity, including unauthorized access attempts, may be reported to law enforcement officials.