Reinventing Defender Culture
Traditionally public defenders have viewed their
role as focusing exclusively on the legal issues a client faces. But
many defenders do much more. They recommend clients for jobs, attempt
to help their clients’ family members get help, and try to change laws
and policies that hurt their clients. More and more defenders are
beginning to focus on these aspects of their work – what they do
outside the four corners of a complaint or indictment – to represent
clients and entire communities, and improve peoples’ lives.
Robin
Steinberg and David Feige, veteran public defenders, summed up the
transformation this way: “Nationwide public defenders are beginning to
reassess the most fundamental questions of what it means to provide
effective representation for clients. Frustrated by the limitations
traditionally imposed by government funders who seek to satisfy minimal
constitutional requirements, public defenders are asking themselves if
there is more they can do for the clients and communities they
represent.” In short – defenders are reinventing the culture in their
agencies and throughout the field.
- The Public Defender's Role in Meeting Client Mental Health Needs
- Papers from the Executive Session on Public Defense
- Reaching Through the Prison Walls: Social Work in an Appellate Defender Office
- Knoxville Public Defender's Office Concept Paper
- Knoxville Public Defender's Office Organizational Strategies