Innocence Project Blog Links Public Defense Crisis and Wrongful Convictions

In an entry on December 1, The Innocence Project Blog pointed out the connection between public defense deficiencies and wrongful convictions. Read "Public Defense and Wrongful Conviction" here (scroll down for entry). The support of The Innocence Project, which has endorsed the Campaign, is a crucial part of public defense reform efforts. While every public defense client should receive quality representation, revelations of wrongful convictions get public attention that doesn't often come to bear on more "routine" denials of rights and dignity.


US Attorney General Holder acknowledges the public defense crisis.
In testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on November 18, 2009, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder noted that “justice systems fail when defendants lack access to independent and effective counsel.” Adding that lack of funding and oversight cause many jurisdictions to fall woefully short of the promise made in Gideon v Wainwright, Holder announced steps to find solutions: “I have convened a working group in the Department and tasked it with identifying every tool at our disposal to help address this problem.” As Holder noted, “Justice simply should not be contingent upon whether a defendant can afford to pay for a lawyer.”

Inadequate public defense can lead to wrongful convictions. The Justice Department recognizes the need for public defense reform. These are just two of many points Campaign supporters can raise when making the case for an Independent Public Defense Commission in New York State. We need Justice Now!