Making Justice Visible: The Justice Counts Initiative and Public Defense

• In Event: Data in Indigent Defense: Expanding Data Capacity in Public Defense

Abstract

Justice Counts is a national initiative to improve the accessibility and usability of criminal justice data. Panelists will reflect on the development of metrics for public defense offices, the role of public defense data in isolation and as a part of the larger universe of data, and the opportunities that better data offers for client advocacy and long-term research. We share key measurement concerns under consideration, how the public and institutions have responded to the metrics as designed, and reflect on the future of metrics related to public defense and community justice.

Authors

• Sarah Lee, Council for State Governments

• Sema Taheri, Measures for Justice Institute

• Shelby Davis, Measures for Justice