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.
![Report Release](https://counciloncj.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Report-Release-5-300x300.jpg)
Press Releases
Homicide, Most Other Violent Crimes Drop to Pre-Pandemic Levels in U.S. Cities
New CCJ analysis of mid-year crime trends also shows year-over-year decreases in motor vehicle theft and carjacking,
while shoplifting continues to rise.