New Hampshire Public Defender
Mariana (Maya) Dominguez has extensive experience in the legal field, currently serving as the Concord Assistant Manager - Litigation Support and Staff Attorney at the New Hampshire Public Defender since August 2011. Previously, Mariana worked as a Law Clerk at the Maryland Office of the Public Defender from January 2010 to January 2012, where case involvement ranged from minor offenses to serious crimes. Early career experience includes a Legal Intern role at Our Place DC, conducting intake interviews and successfully advocating for client releases. Mariana also held a Senior Resident Assistant position at Saint Leo University, managing a diverse community and leading a team of RAs. Mariana holds a Juris Doctor from American University Washington College of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Criminal Justice from Saint Leo University.
New Hampshire Public Defender
The New Hampshire Public Defender was established in 1972 as a pilot project of New Hampshire Legal Assistance, and has existed as a stand-alone institution since 1985. Its sole purpose is to provide indigent defense services to citizens charged with crimes. The Program began with a single office in Concord. Over time, the Program opened satellite offices in other counties, and established administrative offices in its Merrimack County office, located in Concord, the state capital. In 1981, the Public Defender, in collaboration with the Franklin Pierce Law Center (now the University of New Hampshire School of Law), started the Appellate Defender Program, which provides indigent defense services to defendants who appeal their convictions to the New Hampshire Supreme Court. Today, the Public Defender is an independent, non-profit, corporation with offices in every county. The Program works diligently to provide quality representation in a cost-effective manner to indigent defendants accused of crimes in all state courts. In addition to its attorneys, the Public Defender employs legal assistants, investigators, support staff, and information technology specialists, all of whom are dedicated to its core mission of serving indigent citizens accused of crimes.