Training and Recruitment

John Marcus is the Chief Assistant Public Defender responsible for training and recruitment; he leads the Public Defender Academy which acts as an in-house skills training model for trial attorneys. Mr. Marcus graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from the University of West Florida in 2010, and went on to attend Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad Law Center, where he earned his Juris Doctorate in 2013. Mr. Marcus first started in the Law Office of the Public Defender as a Certified Legal Intern during law school and joined the office as an attorney after graduating. Mr. Marcus practiced in many different divisions including the Misdemeanor, Domestic Violence, Juvenile and Felony Trial Units. His extensive experiences as a lead attorney and felony trainer allow Mr. Marcus to guide and support the attorneys as they master trial skills and techniques.

Our Public Defender Academy acts as an in-house skills training model for trial attorneys. The Law Office of the Public Defender has developed a rigorous hands-on training curriculum that emphasizes trial skill development, motion practice, effective utilization of the evidence code and rules of procedure.

Even though a number of cases are resolved prior to trial, we recognize that it is essential to development of talented attorneys to emphasize trial skills and effective  in-courtroom litigation practice. As a result we have imbedded within our office, a Public Defender Academy that  is designed to sharpen our incoming Assistant Public Defenders courtroom technique so as to offer highly skilled trial representation.