An immigrant from Cuba, Carlos Martinez has made indigent defense his life’s work. He was elected Public Defender of Miami-Dade County in 2008 and was re-elected without opposition in 2012 and 2016. The first Cuban-American public defender in the United States, Martinez has launched multiple initiatives to help returning citizens obtain employment, educate young people about the consequences of illegal behavior, and engage the faith community in promoting social justice and improving public safety.
Event Recording: The State of Criminal Justice Legislation in 2026
The CCJ Centering Justice project, the National Conference of State Legislatures, and the Future Caucus discussed the state legislative landscape for criminal justice in 2026 and prospects for policies that are based on solid evidence and can win bipartisan support.
