The undersigned organizations are deeply concerned about the hugely destructive impact of proposed cuts to the federal indigent defense system. To avert the crisis, we are asking that you ensure that the Defenders Services account is fully funded at the requested amount.

Complaint filed in Duncan v. State of Michigan, a civil rights class action brought pursuant to the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendment alleging inadequate funding and oversight of indigent defense services. 
 

We are deeply concerned about the devastating impact of proposed cuts to the federal indigent defense system. … Unless corrected, these cuts could cause the loss of 9-12% of current federal defender staff—even after defenders cut critical programming such as training and IT improvements. Such layoffs would almost certainly decimate the federal defender system, degrade the overall quality of federal indigent defense, and undermine the administration of justice for countless federal defendants. …

We are deeply concerned about the devastating impact of cuts proposed by the House Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government on the federal indigent defense system. The House subcommittee’s mark is $122 million less than requested and could cause the loss of 9% of current federal defender staff. Such layoffs would almost certainly decimate the federal defender system, degrade the overall quality of federal indigent defense, and undermine the administration of justice.

In the wake of the severe cuts to the provision of indigent defense services during sequestration in 2013, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) created a Federal Indigent Defense Task Force to examine the federal indigent defense system. The mission included an assessment of the level of independence afforded to the Office of Defender Services and consideration of whether reforms are necessary to ensure adherence to the ABA’s Ten Principles of a Public Defense Delivery System. [Released September 2015]

I write to you … on behalf of NACDL and the undersigned [leaders] of 26 affiliate associations from 25 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Our members include thousands of attorneys who … believe that access to qualified and properly-resourced counsel is essential to safeguard the rights of the indigent accused. We write to convey our profound concern about the impact of funding cuts on federal indigent defense services, specifically their impact on the thousands of accused persons who depend upon appointed counsel to secure their Sixth Amendment rights.

Brief of Amici Curiae National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and New Mexico Criminal Defense Lawyers Association in Support of Petition of State Ex Rel. Baur for Writ of Superintending Control.

The undersigned organizations are deeply concerned about the devastating impact of sequestration on the federal indigent defense system. Our federal criminal justice system cannot be sustained unless all components – prosecution, judiciary and defense – receive adequate and stable funding. … To avert the crisis, Congress must restore funding to the Defenders Services account.

Comments to the Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs regarding proposed regulations in capital cases to address competent and well-funded counsel, post-conviction review, wrongful conviction, and racial disparity issues.

Member Loren Weiss's testimony to the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Administrative Oversight and the Courts regarding sufficient funding and availability of federal defender offices and CJA attorneys, pursuant to proposals outlined in the Federal Courts Improvement Act of 1995 (S. 1101).

Coalition letter to the House Judiciary Committee regarding the need for more funding for public defense services, made even more critical by the COVID-19 pandemic.

President Gerry Morris's letter to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government regarding ensuring adequate funding and support needed for federal defender services to ensure adequate representation for those who cannot afford it.

Member Richard Kammen's written statement to the House Appropriations Committee regarding adequate funding and training for defender services to ensure adequate representation for those who cannot afford it.

Native American Justice Committee chair Tova Indritz's letter to members of the Senate regarding The Tribal Law and Order Act of 2008 (S. 3320).

NACDL President Judy Clarke's testimony to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, and the Judiciary regarding adequate funding for defense services and training at every level to ensure adequate representation for those who cannot afford it.