The Gauging Improvement in Defense Efforts and Outcomes in New York (GIDEON) Project: Early Findings on the Attorney Experiences of Resource Injections Into Indigent Defense

• In Event: Data in Indigent Defense: Criminal Legal System Responses to Disruption: COVID-19 and Funding Injections

Abstract

Qualitative interview data were collected from defense attorneys in various upstate New York counties to assess the effects of the injection of new state funding into indigent defense systems. The new funding resulted from the settlement of the Hurrell-Harring et al. v. State of New York lawsuit and subsequent legislation. This presentation aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the key themes seen in interviews with line defenders and chief defenders who experienced the introduction of the new funding first-hand. The analysis will focus on exploring defense attorneys’ perspectives on the impact of the funding on their daily practice. Preliminary analyses of a second round of interviews will address changes over time.

Authors

• Caitlin Charles, Deason Criminal Justice Reform Center

• Andrew Davies, Southern Methodist University