PHOTO BY LAURA PETRILLA

Sarah Linder Marx
Senior Deputy of Public Outreach and Staff Development, Allegheny County Office of the Public Defender

Sarah Linder Marx’s specialty of litigation is representing kids who are charged as adults — typically those between the ages of 15 and 18 — some of whom may have intellectual disabilities or severe mental-health issues.

None of the children she represented was ever sentenced to state prison. “It’s very important to me that all of my clients, whether they’re adults or children, are treated with respect and dignity — and I don’t really believe incarcerating children with adults is a kind, compassionate or helpful way to encourage someone to grow up and have a good future,” Marx says.

She facilitates the office’s post-conviction relief clinics, where individuals can see if they are eligible for an expungement, pardon or sealing of their criminal record and frequently goes into schools and the community for “Know Your Rights” sessions.

“When people are in a situation with law enforcement, they can be particularly vulnerable, and people get very scared, and I want people to understand their rights and also how to stay safe.”