PUBLIC DEFENSE FUNDING

This project focuses on the public defenders’ funding crisis in Louisiana and recent criminal justice reform.

Legal Partners:

Jones Walker

Community Partners:

Orleans Public Defenders

Southern Poverty Law Center

Association of Corporate Counsel Louisiana

Poor people are being denied their constitutional right to counsel because of the lack of an effective statewide public defense system. In one year, this funding crisis forced as many as 33 out of 42 public defender offices to stop accepting cases or to place clients, many of whom were in jail, on waiting lists. Louisiana Appleseed is dedicated to shedding light on this funding crisis and seeking potential solutions.