Report:
National:
Reforming public defense is crucial for criminal justice
Financial aid for attys could help close rural justice gap
Fines, Fees and COVID-19
Now available for replay!
Public Defense
The Standing Committee on Legal Aid and Indigent Defense (SCLAID) is working to improve public defense systems nationwide.
Katrina 15th Anniversary Programs
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
An Analysis of the Indiana Public Defense System And Attorney Workload Standards
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 ResourcesABA Public Defense Summit
Moving Online!
Join us for the 2020 ABA Public Defense Summit: Misdemeanor Public Defense: Defending in the Wild West. Moving online! More information coming soon!
Standards & Policies
View standards and policies related to public defense
Public Education Events
Explore upcoming and past events on topics related to public defense.
Public Defense News
News and news archives available at indigentdefense.org. Email Malia Brink at malia.brink@americanbar.org with news, jobs, events, or subscription requests.
Here is the public defense news Sept 17-23, 2020
Technical Assistance
Find information regarding technical assistance to courts, bar associations, and other entities.
Links
Find additional indigent criminal defense resources, including links to related ABA groups and committees, publications and standards, and other organizations devoted to improving indigent criminal defense systems.
Advocacy
Find ABA testimony, letters, and amicus briefs regarding public defense.