This is what I have been working on for the past 10 years.
Below is a very good article that describes the significance of the new National Public Defense Workload Standards (NPDWS) and my recent formation of the Quality Defense Alliance (QDA) to enforce the NPDWS across the nation.
My role model for this work has always been the late Bobby Bowden, Florida State’s head football coach for decades, who when asked the secret of his success said…
“I get people who are smarter than me to work with me.”
“Of course,” he said, “that’s not a very high bar.” 😀
I am deeply grateful to all of the lawyers, accountants, researchers and especially public defenders who worked with me on this project for the last 10 years.
Public defense across the West suffers deep-rooted, decades-old problems. States have two solutions to consider: dole out more cash or shrink the criminal justice system.
More cash would help states hire public defenders, increase pay and add support staff, all which lessens workloads and improves representation quality.
Not jailing people for non-violent crimes related to mental illness, homelessness, poverty and addictions would lessen the strain on public defenders. Treatment or community programs could handle those minor cases. continue reading…