According to NACDL’s recent report surveying the various methods utilized by states to determine when an individual is indigent and entitled to appointed counsel, a majority of the states look to the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) to find out whether a defendant qualifies for court-appointed counsel. On the surface, it would seem that this might be an objective yardstick of indigence, but in practice it proves to be prone to manipulation in myriad ways.

An Internet meme recently passed around by public defenders shows six panels with different photos and captions. The title “Public Defender” appears in large letters above the six panels. The first panel shows a huge high-capacity monster dump truck with this caption: “What my clients think I do.” The next panel — showing a gang of gun-wielding people who seem to be kidnapping a judge — is accompanied by this caption: “What prosecutors think I do.”

The National Association of Federal Defenders bestowed its W. Fred Turner Award on Leigh Skipper, Chief Federal Defender for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and his staff at the Federal Community Defender Office in Philadelphia.

Assistant public defenders have it really tough in the trial courtrooms. These lawyers are typically assigned to large caseloads in which surprises can arise at any time, even when meeting the client for the first time. First meetings can be very tense, and a lawyer must possess the required skills to resolve the tension and seek a favorable solution for the client.

NACDL has launched a 12-month celebration of the Gideon v. Wainwright decision.

Lack of Independence from Judicial Control

On September 9, 2015, NACDL released a report titled “Federal Indigent Defense 2015: The Independence Imperative.” The report articulates seven fundamental principles that are essential to ensure a robust federal indigent defense system.

This article describes the history, function and evolution of Colorado’s statewide conflict counsel agency, the Colorado Office of the Alternate Defense Counsel.

Indigent Defense Community Stunned by Ruling in Duncan v. State  In a surprise move on July 16, the Michigan Supreme Court reversed its Apr. 30 decision upholding a challenge to the state’s patchwork indigent defense system, ordering the tri

Promoting the Fair Administration of Criminal Justice: Across the Issues and Across the Country (Inside NACDL) Norman L. Reimer Inside NACDL November 2011 7 Earlier this fall, NACDL conducted a survey to assess the Association’s value to the national defense community. More than 1,800 members and

Without a lawyer’s presence and zealous advocacy at the initial bail hearing, unreasonable bail amounts result.

Recognize the problems that continue to exist, acknowledge the severity of the issues, and strive to take measures needed for reform.

Lawyers should not only know how to secure investigative, expert, or other services necessary to adequately represent clients, but should take advantage of all services available.   

The man who represented the state of Florida in Gideon reminisces.

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and former U.S. Attorney General Dick Thornburgh discuss the importance of the right to counsel for indigents.