Paulo Vinícius Cozzolino is re-elected general public defender of RJ with record votes

According to the State Public Defender's Office, the 773 votes it received in the election are a record in the history of the institution. The election took place online, from 10am to 5pm, with the participation of active and retired defenders.

The result will be forwarded to the acting governor, judge Ricardo Couto. After receiving the list, he will have 15 days to publish the appointment in the Official Gazette.

Under the current administration, the Public Defender's Office implemented MarIA, a virtual assistant that offers services via WhatsApp and the website, and VIA, an artificial intelligence tool used by teams in preparing documents and in legal consultations, under human supervision.

According to the institution, R$18.5 million was also invested in the purchase of equipment. In infrastructure, deliveries include the reopening of the Itaguaí unit and a new headquarters in Búzios.

Units are planned in Nova Iguaçu, São Pedro da Aldeia, Itaperuna, Macaé, Jacarepaguá, Rio das Ostras, Japeri, Saquarema, Angra dos Reis, Barra da Tijuca, in addition to the new headquarters, in the center of Rio.

In 2025, the Public Defender's Office reported having carried out more than 4.2 million consultations and around 135 thousand extrajudicial agreements.

A public defender since 2006, Cozzolino worked in 28 municipalities in Rio de Janeiro and held administrative positions, such as general secretary of the institution. When commenting on the vote, he stated that he intends to expand the presence of the Public Defender's Office in the state and consolidate ongoing projects.