Lange v. California: Pursuit of misdemeanor suspect does not always justify warrantless entry into home

Police pursuit of a fleeing misdemeanor suspect does not automatically create exigent circumstances to enter a home without a warrant, the U.S. Supreme Court held June 23 in Lange v. California.   A police officer turned on his overhead lights to […]

Johnson v. Guzman Chavez: Supreme Court limits release on bond for some noncitizens seeking withholding of removal

Noncitizens who were removed from the U.S., later reentered illegally, were subject to reinstated removal orders, and who then sought withholding of removal based on fear of persecution, are not entitled to release on bond, the Supreme Court held June […]

Sustain Progress; Make Additional Improvements: NAPD Harris County Misdemeanor Assessment Report

  An NAPD Assessment of the Harris County (Houston) misdemeanor system of representation has been released. It was conducted at the request of Harris County pursuant to a November 21, 2019 Consent Decree in ODonnell et al v. Harris County, Texas No. 16-cv-01414 (S.D. […]

Torres v. Madrid: Application of physical force to a person with intent to restrain is a Fourth Amendment “seizure,” even if the person doesn’t submit and escapes

The application of physical force to the body of a person with intent to restrain is a Fourth Amendment “seizure” even if the person does not submit and escapes, the U.S. Supreme Court held March 25 in Torres v. Madrid.   […]

NAPD Newly Appointed Executive Director Lori James-Townes

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – The National Association for Public Defense (NAPD) is thrilled to announce that its new Executive Director is Lori James-Townes. Lori is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Master’s in Social Work. She has spent the vast […]

NAPD Releases Principles of Sustainabiliity

These principles were developed collaboratively by a group of members working to plan NAPD’s wellness-related training and support. They were approved by the NAPD Steering Committee at its meeting on February 18, 2021. Working as a Public Defender can be […]

Space, equipment, communication and supporting services for public defense must be professional for meaningful representation of clients

NAPD has adopted a Policy Statement on Proper Professional Space, Equipment, Confidential Communications with Clients, Supporting Services for Public Defense. The meaningful representation of public defense clients requires proper professional space, adequate supporting equipment, ability to conduct confidential communications, and […]

Active Supervision is a Hallmark of a Client- Centered Public Defense System

Active supervision is a hallmark of a client-centered public defense system: NAPD adopts comprehensive policy statement on providing active supervision NAPD has adopted a policy detailing the critical importance of active public defense supervision.  According to the Policy, all public defense […]

Black Lives Matter: NAPD’s Commitment to Transformational Change

Yesterday, public defenders from across the country took to the streets and raised their collective voices in support of Black lives and in opposition to police violence, oppression, inequity and state-sponsored terror.  To be clear, public defenders are in a […]

NAPD Releases New National Standard for Public Defense Staffing

We know good lawyering makes a difference. It’s why we do this important work for our clients. But lawyers can’t do what is needed for clients without robust assistance from a team of professionals supporting the representation. Increasingly, client representation […]