Roundtable: The Need for Mixed-Method Evaluation in Indigent Defense Policy

Session Submission Type: Roundtable Sessions

Abstract/Description

The United States Constitution guarantees Individuals defense counsel for criminal charges levied against them, regardless of whether they can pay their attorneys. This discussion will focus on an NIJ-funded project to conduct a longitudinal, mixed-method study examining the impact of defense office creation in four jurisdictions. We will focus on the qualitative portion of the study. We interviewed the courtroom workgroups as well as community members and service providers. Our preliminary findings suggest programs that grow from the ground up, rather than top down, tend to have greater support. Another theme is that any quantitative analysis must consider societal variables such as statutory and procedural changes to criminal procedure law during the implementation phase. And finally, there appeared to be virtually no evaluation of these efforts that includes data analysis coupled with courtroom observation and mentorship. We will close our session by asking participants to weigh in on what is happening in their own communities.

Sub Unit

• Area XIV. Roundtables

Co-Authors

• Pamela Metzger, Deason Criminal Justice Reform Center, SMU Dedman School of Law

• Andrew L. Davies, Deason Criminal Justice Reform Center, SMU Dedman School of Law

• Catherine Cerulli, University of Rochester

• Caitlin Charles, Deason Criminal Justice Reform Center, SMU Dedman School of Law

• Victoria Smiegocki, Deason Criminal Justice Reform Center, SMU Dedman School of Law