Defining and Evaluating Quality in Indigent Defense: An Early Proposal

• In Event: Legal Services for the Indigent: Defining and Evaluating Quality in Indigent Defense

Abstract

Judges and attorneys talk often about the importance of providing “quality” legal representation to clients, especially those who cannot afford an attorney on their own. But, despite a growing body of international and domestic norms, the concept of quality representation is neither well operationalized nor measured. Building on prior work of the authors, including in consultation with legal aid providers both within the United States and abroad, this presentation seeks to define quality legal aid representation and offers a model for how the concept can be measured and compared empirically across settings.

Authors

• Joshua Perry, Elm1 Consulting & Advocacy

• Jon Gould, American University