Data in Indigent Defense: Public Defense Workloads

Session Submission Type: Complete Thematic Panel

Abstract/Description

Excessive workloads are a pervasive – and difficult to quantify - problem in public defense. Heavy workloads can prevent attorneys from providing effective legal representation to people accused of crimes. The National Public Defense Workload Study (NPDWS) endeavored to quantify the average hours a public defense attorney needs to represent adults charged with different types of criminal cases. The NPDWS was published in July 2023. Since that time, diverse jurisdictions have applied the NPDWS to assess their current adult criminal caseloads and staffing needs. These applications of the NPDWS provide a more comprehensive understanding of public defense workloads than ever before. This panel will examine data obtained and lessons learned from using the NPDWS, including how applications of the NPDWS are faring in policy settings.

Sub Unit

• Area VI. The Criminal Justice System / 46. Courts & Sentencing

Individual Presentations

• Lessons Learned from National Public Defense Workload Study - Malia Brink, Deason Criminal Justice Reform Center, SMU Dedman School of Law

• Applying the National Public Defense Workload Study - Cynthia Lee, The Deason Criminal Justice Reform Center, SMU Dedman School of Law

• Implementing the National Public Defense Workload Study Case Weights: A Case Study from King County, Washington (Seattle) - Stephen Weidlich, King County, WA

Organized by a Division or external group?

The Indigent Defense Research Association