Public defense issues and developments in New Jersey

Presented by: Ariel Simms, Criminal Justice Attorney Fellow, National Center on Criminal Justice and Disability (NCCJD), The Arc

Presented by Raj Jayadev, founder and director of Silicon Valley De-Bug

As a result of generous grant funding, NACDL is able to offer scholarship assistance to public defense attorneys to attend training programs.

Presented by Dr. David Wohl, Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of North Carolina; and Stephen Scarborough, criminal defense attorney, Atlanta, GA

Supported by Grant No. 2013-MU-BX-K014 awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance

The Champion of Public Defense Award recognizes an individual or group for exceptional efforts in making positive changes to a local, county, state, or federal public defense system. Although the outstanding direct, individual representation of every defendant is one of NACDL's foremost goals, this award is intended to highlight efforts toward systemic advances through legislation, litigation, or other strategies.

The private bar plays a vital role in a healthy public defense delivery system. In large cities, private attorneys fill a critical gap, handling cases in which institutional defenders have conflicts and work overload; in small towns the private bar may be the only public defense provider, managing court-appointments in addition to their practices; and in all instances, the private bar brings a crucial perspective and expertise to the public defense system and the clients they represent. Yet in far too many places these lawyers are asked to labor without adequate compensation.

The right to counsel, guaranteed by the 6^th Amendment, promises every person, regardless of their charges or resources, has a skilled, zealous advocate by their side when they stand accused of a crime. As Gideon and other cases recognized, defendants' procedural and substantive rights cannot be protected unless every person has an attorney with the resources, skills, and independence to advocate for them. NACDL works to help reform inadequate public defense systems through training and technical assistance, public education, advocacy, and litigation.

As a result of generous grant funding, NACDL is able to offer scholarship assistance to public defense providers to attend training programs of their choice. Scholarships are awarded in the form of full or partial reimbursement of the registration costs of programs. Limited travel reimbursement stipends may also be awarded to qualifying individuals to help defray the costs of travel and lodging.

Highlighting work NACDL does to support public defense delivery systems, public defense attorneys, and the clients and communities they represent. 

Public defense issues and developments in Texas

As a result of generous grant funding, NACDL is able to offer scholarship assistance to public defense providers to attend training programs of their choice. Scholarships are awarded in the form of full or partial reimbursement of the registration costs of programs. Limited travel reimbursement stipends may also be awarded to qualifying individuals to help defray the costs of travel and lodging.

Use the form below to apply for NACDL's public defense scholarship.

NACDL President Lisa Wayne's comments to the Department of Justice Office of Legal Policy regarding a proposed rule that would allow states to limit federal review of capital post-conviction cases.

The Myth of Colorblind Justice presented by L. Song Richardson, Professor of Law, University of California, Irvine

Race Matters I: The Impact of Race on Criminal Justice
September 14-15, 2017 | Detroit, MI