His clients are indigent, says Brian N. Connors '88, a public defender in the Colorado State Public Defender's Office. Most are homeless, abused, developmentally disabled or mentally ill. "These are broken lives," Connors said. "But people have a right to defend themselves before their freedom is taken away."

Upholding the Sixth Amendment's guarantee of the right to counsel and the right to a court-appointed lawyer, Connors travels from his base in Greeley through eight Colorado counties. He handles as many as 25 cases a day.

"You're not going to win a lot," he said. "You're a counselor at law, and the 'counselor' comes through. You really are a social worker."

Connors concedes that the job of public defender is not for everyone. "But when you could be out helping people who truly need help," he said, "I can't imagine not doing it."