Public Defense Providers should be included as equal participants in the legal system. Public Defense Providers are in a unique position to identify and challenge unlawful or harmful conditions adversely impacting their clients. Legislative or organizational changes or other legal system reforms should not be considered without soliciting input from representatives of the defense function and evaluating the impact of such changes on Public Defense Providers and their clients. To the extent any changes result in an increase in defender workload or responsibilities, adequate funding should be provided to Public Defense Providers to accommodate such changes.