More than three years after the Montgomery County Public Defender’s Office was rocked by controversy that raised questions about the office’s independence, a new chief has been installed, and changes are underway to modernize the office and the county’s criminal justice practices.

Christine P. Lora was installed as Montgomery County’s chief public defender July 10, and since that time she has been meeting with stakeholders, running to court to help implement newly installed parole and probation violation procedures, and working to develop a budget proposal aimed at addressing significant vacancies within the office.