Pardon Our Dust!
We Are Working On Updating Our Website. Please Check Back Soon!
Meet the Public Defender, Blair Allen
Blair Allen is the Public Defender for Florida’s Tenth Judicial Circuit serving Polk, Highlands, and Hardee Counties. Ms. Allen was elected in 2024, prior to such, she served as an Assistant Public Defender for over seventeen years.
Your Legal Team
The Office of the Public Defender is comprised of over 100 dedicated professionals to serve you, including trial and appellate attorneys, criminal defense investigators, mitigation specialists, and administrative support staff.
Attorney Appointments
Our office strives for effective attorney-client communication. In order to prepare your case, it is imperative that our clients have opportunities to speak with their attorneys in person, by telephone, or virtually to discuss legal defenses, witnesses, evidence, etc. All discussions will be private and covered by attorney-client privilege.
What is a Public Defender?
The Office of the Public Defender exists to guarantee that the poor, or indigent, have the right to a fair trial, which protects us all. The lawyers and staff of the Office of the Public Defender for the Tenth Judicial Circuit of Florida represent indigent people in criminal cases, involuntary mental health, and juvenile delinquency cases in our community.
In 1963, the United States Supreme Court’s ruling in the case of Gideon v. Wainwright led to the establishment of the Florida Public Defender System. Prior to 1963, there was no recognized constitutional right to an attorney for those who could not afford one.
Polk County Office
255 N. Broadway Ave., 3rd Floor
Bartow, FL 33831-9000
Phone (863) 534-4200
Fax (863) 534-4355
Highlands County Office
520 Fernleaf Avenue
Sebring, FL 33871
Phone (863) 402-6724
Fax (863) 402-6777
Hardee County Office
413 West Orange Street
Wauchula, FL 33873
Phone (863) 773-6758
Fax (863) 773-3993
