WILMINGTON — The new director of the Clinton County Public Defender Office was an assistant public defender here for four years prior to her recent selection by a local board.

The Clinton County Public Defender Commission has chosen Alycia Bemmes to lead the office, which represents the majority of the defendants in the county. To be eligible to have a public defender represent you in court for a minimal fee, you need to meet income and asset guidelines and be classified an indigent client.

“Basically it’s our job to keep the system fair and just for our clients, giving them the proper legal representation as guaranteed by the Constitution. That’s our job and what I love doing,” said Bemmes.

She studied at Miami University as an undergraduate, then went on to the University of Cincinnati College of Law where she graduated in 2015. In January 2016, she became an assistant public defender in Clinton County in her first job as an attorney.

From the Cincinnati area, she competed in high school in mock trials, and similarly took part in a trial advocacy program in law school. Working as a trial attorney holds appeal for her.

Bemmes said she is looking forward to enhancing the public defender office’s client interaction representation, and taking the office to an even higher level and service.

The three attorneys from the Clinton County Public Defender Office, including Bemmes, can be found defending clients in Clinton County Common Pleas Court, Clinton County Municipal Court, and Clinton County Juvenile Court.

Reach Gary Huffenberger at 937-556-5768.