News & Commentary about Public Defense Reform
Through litigation and advocacy, the ACLU’s Criminal Law Reform Project works to ensure that public defense systems throughout the country reliably live up to the promise of the Sixth Amendment so that all criminal defendants — regardless of their wealth or poverty — receive fair treatment in the criminal legal system. Failing public defense systems violate the constitutional rights of the accused, lead to unjust outcomes, and contribute to our overburdened, inhumane, and wasteful jail and prison systems.
Mar 19, 2013
(Zealous, Properly-Resourced Defense) Lawyers for All!
Mar 18, 2013
Gideon Real Stories Project: Massive Caseloads in Memphis, Tennessee
Mar 18, 2013
Too Many Still Wait to Hear Gideon's Trumpet
Mar 15, 2013
You Have the Right to an Attorney... We All Know the Hollywood Version, But What's the Real Story?
Sep 4, 2012
Hitting Two Birds with One Stone: Strategies for Addressing the Indigent Defense Crisis and Overincarceration
Jul 25, 2012
One Giant Step for Michigan: Indigent Defense Reform is Around the Corner
Feb 7, 2012
If a Lawyer Stole $5 From a Client...
Nov 9, 2011
Time to Confess Error on the Death Penalty
Oct 13, 2011
Fewer Americans Supporting the Death Penalty