Challenging Judge-Centered Culture

This article was first published on www.jonrapping.com.  It is republished here with permission from the author. “Those most resistant to change are destined to receive the most of it.” Ray Marshall (Secretary of Labor for President Jimmy Carter and Gideon’s Promise […]

Responsiveness

“Do you think we should still go to Valparaiso?”  Several members of NAPD asked that question on the same day Governor Mike Pence signed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.  That question was asked as organizations from around the country, including Apple and […]

2014: MyGideon in Review

From the 2014 NAPD Annual Report. This section was written by Alex Bassos, Director of Training and Outreach for the Metropolitan Public Defender (Portland, OR) and NAPD Steering Committee member and MyGideon Committee Co-Chair. It is submitted to the NAPD website by Herbert […]

Slaughter Self Doubt and Embrace your Rock-Star Self

I recently overheard an elevator conversation that made me cringe and caused me to careen into a spiral of self-doubt. “My daughter is definitely going to be a lawyer when she grows up,” announced a woman, “She's always arguing and […]

Finding Happiness in Our Work

Recently I have seen a number of conversations focusing on whether we can hold up under the stress and pressure that comes with our work as criminal defense lawyers.  Questions like: “Can you keep a sunny outlook when you are asked […]

The Other Public Defenders

I am not sure being a public defender is ever glamorous, but to be sure there are some public defenders whose jobs are more glamorous than others. Capital defenders take on some of the highest profile cases with some of […]

“Witnessing a Fundamental Breach” – Testimony in Missouri

You got 20 minutes?  Have you been wondering what this Ferguson thing is all about?  Do yourself a favor and watch this video of three fine warriors and public defenders appear in front of of legislators and argue for justice […]

NAPD Files Amicus in Support of Hinds County PDO

This is the NAPD Public Statement, approved by the Steering Committee. Today the National Association for Public Defense (NAPD) filed an amicus brief to support the independence of the Hinds County Public Defender’s Office. Fairness in the criminal process and accuracy of […]

Maryland’s Office of the Public Defender Seeks Support from NAPD for Bill to Limit Caseloads

The Maryland Office of the Public Defender is taking a proactive stance on the issue of caseloads and workloads of its trial attorneys in the current legislative session. A bill has been drafted by the office and introduced by legislative […]

Street Policing Doesn’t Belong in School

This article was published in the Baltimore Sun on January 30, 2015. You can view the article at this link.  In recent months, there has been a flood of video evidence of police violence in our communities. Earlier this week, a […]