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.
Justice in Perspective
DOJ Funding Update: A Deeper Look at the Cuts
This report from CCJ Senior Fellow Amy Solomon examines April 2025 funding cuts from the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Office of Justice Programs (OJP) and their implications on public safety, trust in government, and inefficiency and waste.
