Exemplary Defense: A Study of Three Groundbreaking Projects in Public Defense
Ten Guidelines on Court Fines and Fees
Civil Legal Aid Funding in the Time of COVID-19
Now available for replay!
Standing Committee on Legal Aid and Indigent Defense
The Standing Committee on Legal Aid and Indigent Defense (SCLAID) works on matters relating to civil legal aid and public defender services. The activities of the Committee focus on the administration of justice as it affects low income populations; remedial measures intended to help protect the legal rights of low income populations; and the establishment and efficient maintenance of civil legal aid and public defender organizations and cooperation with other interested agencies, whether public or private.
National Meeting of State Access to Justice Commission Chairs
2020 Webinar Series
The National Meeting of State Access to Justice Commission Chairs convened a series of free webinars during 2020 in lieu of an in-person meeting. Please click the link below for more information on these webinars.
Learn More - WebinarsKatrina 15th Anniversary
From Katrina to COVID
To mark the 15th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, the ABA Standing Committee on Legal Aid and Indigent Defense (SCLAID) together with the Deason Criminal Justice Reform Center at SMU Law School, the ABA Criminal Justice Section and the ABA Section on Civil Rights and Social Justice present webinars on the impact of crisis on two key components of the criminal justice system: Jails and Prisons, and Public Defense. The programs will consider what happens to people trapped in the criminal justice system during times of extreme systemic stress and whether or not such times of crisis can be catalysts for reform. Please join us for these free (non-CLE) programs.
Learn - MoreNew Report! - Released July 24, 2020
The Indiana Public Defender Commission Report
The Indiana Public Defender Commission (“Commission”) separately engaged the American Bar Association Standing Committee on Legal Aid and Indigent Defense (“ABA SCLAID”) and Crowe LLP (“Crowe”) to collaboratively conduct the Indiana Project, an analysis of public defense workloads, and produce a final report
Read - ReportCOVID-19 Webinars
COVID-19 Resources
The ABA Standing Committee on Legal Aid and Indigent Defense (SCLAID) has launched a web page that consolidates resources from across the country to assist the access to justice community in addressing the many challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Explore - COVID-19 Resources
Be a Part of SCLAID's Future
Throughout its 100 years of existence, SCLAID’s work would not have been possible without ABA membership dues. Today's public interest lawyers of all practice backgrounds are able to join the ABA for significantly reduced dues rates of as little as $75 per year. These dues are critical to supporting not just the work of SCLAID, but also that of many other ABA public interest entities. Plus, membership provides a wide array of benefits tailored to the needs of our public interest practitioners. Join the ABA and support both our and your future!
Public Defense
Reports, news and more information related to indigent defense and public defender systems.
Public Defense
The Standing Committee on Legal Aid and Indigent Defense (SCLAID) is working to improve public defense systems nationwide.
Public Defense Publications
Ten Guidelines on Court Fines and Fees
These guidelines provide practical direction for government officials, policymakers and others charged with developing, reforming and administering court fines and fees. The guidelines seek to ensure that fines and fees are fairly imposed and administered and that the justice system does not punish people for the "crime" of being poor.
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Civil Legal Aid
Reports, news and more information related to legal aid and access to justice commissions.
Access to Justice Commissions
Access to Justice Commissions are collaborative entities that bring together courts, the bar, civil legal aid providers, and other stakeholders in an effort to remove barriers to civil justice for low-income and disadvantaged people.
Learn More - ATJ Commissions
Legal Aid Funding Report
Financial resource limitations remain one of the largest barriers preventing civil legal aid providers, even with their pro bono allies, from addressing the needs of low-income client communities. The ABArray Legal Aid Funding Report provides users with online access to SCLAID's national legal aid funding data collection from 2003 to present.
Learn More - Legal Aid Funding Data
Civil Right to Counsel
Access state research reports detailing existing authority for appointment of counsel in various types of civil proceedings.
Language Access
The Standards and extensive commentary provide guidance to courts in designing, implementing, and enforcing a comprehensive system of language access services that is suited to the needs in the communities they serve.
Donate
Help us improve access to justice by donating to the ABA Standing Committee on Legal Aid & Indigent Defense (SCLAID).
About SCLAID
The Standing Committee on Legal Aid and Indigent Defense (SCLAID) serves the American Bar Association by examining issues relating to the delivery of civil legal assistance and of criminal defense services to the poor. It maintains close relationships with state and local bar and legal aid/defender leaders, providing information and developing policy on civil legal aid and indigent defense. The Committee also works closely with leaders of the states’ judiciary and national judicial leaders in forging improvements in access to justice. It advocates for and works to ensure the availability of legal aid and defender services for indigent persons through a variety of activities and projects. SCLAID is the ABA’s oldest standing committee; established in 1920 under the leadership of Charles Evans Hughes. The Committee has adopted a strategic plan articulating four goals: (1) secure sufficient resources/funding in each jurisdiction to support quality legal services for persons of limited means; (2) develop and promote standards, policies, best practices and models, to support the delivery of quality legal service to persons of limited means; (3) advocate for effective systems; and (4) educate, so that policy makers, the bench, the bar and the public understand issues and requirements for legal services for persons of limited means.
Learn More - About Us