The Public Defender Commission (PUB), also known as the Office of the Public Defender, is responsible for providing, supervising, and coordinating legal representation for indigent persons who are charged with a crime and for indigent prisoners who are appealing their convictions, who are seeking post-conviction relief, or who are charged with a violation of parole.

The Commission also sets rules and regulations governing the provision of indigent defense services, administer s state reimbursement to counties for indigent defense expenditures, and passes funding to the Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation.