History of the Office of the Public Defender

The Office of the Public Defender was created in 1941 by Chapter 1007 of the Rhode Island Public Laws. It is widely believed to be the first statewide Public Defender agency in the Nation. Title 12 Chapter 15 of the Rhode Island General Laws defines the organization and functions of the agency and mandates it to represent those who are without financial resources to retain private counsel. Title 14 Chapter 1 describes the referral process by the Family Court, and Title 40 Chapter 11 authorizes referral of dependency, neglect and termination of parental rights cases to the Office by the Family Court.

For several years the office has maintained a Public Defender Hall of Fame to honor past Public Defender employees who have served the office and clients above and beyond the scope of their duties. The following is a list of the Hall of Fame Inductees:

Inducted March 2, 1984

• Paul E. Kelley, Assistant Public Defender

Inducted September 14, 1984

• Leo Patrick McGowan, Public Defender

Inducted September 28, 1984

• James Cardono, Public Defender 1967 - 1971

Inducted May 18, 1990

• William F. Reilly, Public Defender

Inducted May 2, 1996

• Aram A. Arabian, Public Defender 1947 - 1962
• Victoria A. Catalano, Legal Secretary 1981 - 1987
• Benjamin Cianciarulo, Public Defender 1941 - 1947
• David L. Martin, Assistant Public Defender 1974 - 1981
• Allegra E. Munson, Assistant Public Defender 1972 - 1982

Inducted May 18, 2001

• Richard M. Casparian, Public Defender 1988 - 1997

Inducted November 20, 2002

• Sonia A. Aguirre, Spanish Interpreter 1988 - 1997
• Lise J. Gescheidt, Assistant Public Defender 1972 - 1982
• Mary E. Levesque, Assistant Public Defender 1979 - 1986