REPORT ON CRIMINAL DEFENSE SERVICES IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

• NCJ Number: 25859
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 196 pages
• Grant Number(s): 1973-A-311; 74-101
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: District of Columbia Bar Assoc
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Statistics
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

INVESTIGATION AND DISCUSSION OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF DISTRICT CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACTS, THE ROLE OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER SERVICE, AND THE QUALITY OF REPRESENTATION PROVIDED TO INDIGENT DEFENDANTS.

Abstract

EXAMINED ARE THE COVERAGE OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACTS, THE STANDARDS OF INDIGENCY, THE APPOINTMENT AND REMOVAL OF COUNSEL, UTILIZATION OF THE NON-VOLUNTEER BAR, THE ROLE OF LAW STUDENTS IN PROVIDING DEFENSE SERVICES, THE VOUCHER SYSTEM, AND THE ADEQUACY OF CONPENSATION. A DISCUSSION OF THE ROLE OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER SERVICE CONSIDERS THE STATUTORY AUTHORITY OF THE SERVICE, THE QUALITY OF REPRESENTATION, AND THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER SERVICE TO THE COURT AND TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT. ISSUES EXPLORED IN RELATION TO THE QUALITY OF INDIGENT REPRESENTATION ARE THE PERFORMANCE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACT COUNSEL AND THE DEFENDANTS' CHOICE OF COUNSEL. RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA DEFENDER AGENCY TO ADMINISTER THE APPOINTED COUNSEL PROGRAM AND THE PUBLIC DEFENDER SERVICE; THE UTILIZATION OF NON-VOLUNTEER COUNSEL; THE INCLUSION OF LAW SCHOOL CLINICS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACTS (CJA) BUDGETS; INCREASING CJA APPROPRIATIONS AND RAISING LEVELS OF COMPENSATION; AND EXPANDING THE ROLE OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER SERVICE.