Carey Haughwout

Palm Beach County, Florida Public Defender

Carey Haughwout is the Public Defender for Palm Beach County since 2001.  She has practiced criminal defense since 1983.  Carey is the immediate past President of the Florida Association of Public Defenders. As part of her duties, she works with the legislature on criminal justice policy. She is a board-certified criminal trial lawyer and a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Carey’s efforts have been recognized with the ACLU Harriet S. Glasner Freedom Award, The Lord’s Place Ending Homelessness Award, the Voter’s Coalition of Palm Beach County, the March of Dimes Women of Distinction Award, the Palm Beach County Bar Association’s Professionalism Award and the Judge Barry M. Cohen “Champion of Justice” Award.  

She is a past president of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, served on the Board of Legal Specialization and Education, the Florida Bar Criminal Rules Committee and on a variety of local committees dedicated to the improvement of the system of justice. She established and chairs the Reentry Task Force for the Palm Beach County Criminal Justice Commission which has been credited with establishing services for ex-offenders to reduce recidivism. Besides the administrative duties of managing a 200-person law office, Carey maintains an active trial practice of serious cases and death penalty cases.