NAPD Writes “Dear Colleague” Letter to Attorney General Sessions

NAPD members represent thousands of indigent clients across the country and have seen poor people struggle with crippling criminal justice debt in the form of court fees and taxes. So, it came as a great relief to many who work in […]

Michael Barrett, Missouri Public Defender, Joins NAPD Steering Committee

Tell the public defense community something about yourself? I started as a public defender in Albany County, New York. I left to work for Governor Eliot Spitzer and then stayed on with Governor David Paterson.  When my wife got offered […]

Know Someone on Rikers?

It's COLD on Rikers. Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) has created an Amazon Wishlist of items to help our detained clients get through the winter. With no heat, paper-thin uniforms, and a thin blanket, our clients need warm socks, thermals, and […]

Gideon Day is Coming!

Greetings justice-loving friends and colleagues! We are just about 8 weeks away from the 55th anniversary of the decision in Gideon v. Wainwright and NAPD is again planning to celebrate the right to counsel, cheer on our public defense programs, and […]

Utah IDC Director Joanna Landau Joins NAPD Steering Committee

Tell the public defense community something about yourself? “That’s doesn’t sound easy” “Did you really hate your last job?” “Is that even possible?” “Finally” These are the things I hear when I tell people I am the first Director of […]

Doug Wilson, Colorado State Public Defender, Joins NAPD Steering Committee

Tell the public defense community something about yourself? After graduating from the University of Cincinnati School of Law in 1981,  I started as a baby PD in Pueblo, Colorado in January of 1982.  I handled a misdemeanor and juvenile docket.  […]

What happens when you talk to 8th graders about public defense?

The last episode for 2017 of the Aider & Abettor Podcast is now up on iTunes, SoundCloud and other podcast platforms. We recorded this episode in front of a live audience for the first time- 8th graders at Jordan Middle […]

Lorinda Youngcourt Joins NAPD Steering Committee

Tell the public defense community something about yourself? 30 years in public defense.  Starting with capital post-conviction relief at the Indiana State Public Defender’s Office, to trial work with the Marion County Public Defender Agency, to private practice doing court-appointed […]

Tony Serra to Represent Garcia Zarata on Federal Gun Charges

Jose Ines Garcia Zarate, who was found not guilty in the death of Kate Steinle, will be represented by renowned San Francisco attorney J. Tony Serra on federal gun charges.   Jurors on Nov. 30 found Garcia Zarate not guilty […]

The Passion Drain: Salaries So Low Even the Dedicated Can’t Stay

Last month, I received the below resignation letter from one of our experienced public defenders.  He had been with DPA for five years and was well-respected in his office.  They are very disappointed to see him go. As context for […]