Public Defenders

Founder of NYC public defender office indicted on fraud charges

The founder of one of New York City’s public defender offices is facing fraud charges for allegedly taking money from the organization for luxury vacations, a penthouse apartment and designer clothes.

Jun 16, 2025 10:15 AM CDT

Crisis looming in Massachusetts as court-appointed attorneys refuse to take on more cases

Massachusetts is experiencing a “full-blown constitutional breakdown” as bar advocates refuse to take on more court-appointed cases, according to the leader of the state’s association of criminal defense attorneys.

Jun 16, 2025 9:14 AM CDT

Idaho sees lawyer withdrawals after moving county public defender offices to the state

Recent Idaho public defender pay rate changes led to many counsel heading for the exits, and the Idaho State Bar issued a formal ethics opinion over concerns about defendants being left without attorneys.

Feb 1, 2025 1:30 AM CST

Should defendants without court-appointed lawyers be released? Should charges be dropped? Judge weighs remedies

A Maine judge is considering how to remedy the state’s failure to provide lawyers to indigent defendants on a timely basis.

Jan 27, 2025 3:06 PM CST

Following pay changes with Idaho public defender’s office, agency saw more than 1,000 withdrawals

Updated: Recent Idaho public defender pay rate changes led to many counsel heading for the exits, and the Idaho State Bar issued a formal ethics opinion due to concerns. It recognizes financial hardships can cause conflicts in legal representation but notes that counsel cannot leave a case without the court’s approval.

Nov 13, 2024 9:07 AM CST

Lawyer suspended after arguing cocaine enhanced his cognition

A former public defender accused of representing a client at a November 2022 preliminary hearing while under the influence of cocaine has received a suspension of a year and a day.

Nov 7, 2024 11:55 AM CST

To address lawyer shortage, Indiana could fund scholarships, approve allied professionals, commission says

Indiana could help address an attorney shortage in underserved communities through law student scholarships and loan-repayment assistance, according to initial recommendations by the Indiana Supreme Court’s Commission on Indiana’s Legal Future.

Aug 28, 2024 9:04 AM CDT

Prosecutors and public defenders strike for higher pay in this California county

Public defenders and prosecutors are among about 250 government attorneys who went on strike Monday in California’s Sacramento County following two years without a contract.

Aug 27, 2024 12:31 PM CDT

California National Guard prosecutors will focus on county following ‘surge operations,’ bringing concern from PDs

Prosecutors with the California National Guard’s Counterdrug Task Force will help prosecute state cases originating in Alameda County, California, according to an announcement Friday by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Aug 5, 2024 1:56 PM CDT

Defenseless: Lack of public defenders creates a crisis for indigent clients and increased caseloads for lawyers

Many states are facing a crisis in public defense because of low pay, excessive caseloads, frequent burnout and a “great resignation” of qualified attorneys that began during the pandemic and shows no signs of ebbing.

Aug 1, 2024 3:00 AM CDT

Sept. 11 defense lawyer, winner of ABA Journal’s 2024 Ross Writing Contest, recognizes humanity of reviled clients

Updated: A former public defender who represents a detainee at Guantanamo Bay is the winner of the 2024 ABA Journal/Ross Writing Contest for Legal Short Fiction.

Jul 9, 2024 11:08 AM CDT

Assignment load for public defenders needs to decrease, says data-based study

With the RAND Corp., the National Center for State Courts and the ABA’s Standing Committee on Legal Aid and Indigent Defense, a new study was created that contains “reliable, data-based workload standards.” The 166-page National Public Defense Workload Study calls for a significant reduction in workloads for those who do criminal justice work in the public sector.

Jun 1, 2024 1:50 AM CDT

Biden recalls time he bluffed knowledge of torts case and why he changed his mind about civil-trial work

President Joe Biden digressed when answering questions last fall about documents stored at his vice presidential residence to remember his tough torts class at the Syracuse University College of Law and the first job that he got after graduation.

Mar 14, 2024 2:34 PM CDT

Judge’s hot tub social media post makes waves with judicial conduct commission; she quotes Cardi B in response

A Las Vegas judge is facing ethics charges partly for a social media photo of herself sporting a bikini while in a hot tub with public defenders. Judge Erika Ballou is facing a misconduct complaint filed by the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline.

Feb 1, 2024 11:42 AM CST

Want to clear a criminal record? This lawyer has an app for that

In 2022, lawyer Noella Sudbury launched an app called Rasa to provide a quick, cheap and easy solution for people who want a fresh start, automating the process of expungement from start to finish.

Jan 17, 2024 8:15 AM CST