Public Defender Corps
Across the country, public defender offices are underfunded, understaffed and burdened with insurmountable caseloads. With too few public defenders handling too many cases, those who cannot afford representation are being denied their fundamental right to counsel, and many are languishing in jail at taxpayers’ expense.
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ual Justice Works and the Southern Public Defender Training Center (SPDTC) have launched a new initiative to combat this growing problem. Public Defender Corps will provide intensive training and mentoring to new attorneys with the goal of supporting the public defender community and raising the standard of representation across the country.
The inaugural class of 18 Public Defender Corps members have completed training and joined public defender offices in Alabama, Louisiana, Kentucky, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee where they will receive ongoing training and mentoring.
Meet and learn more about the class of 2011 Public Defender Corps Members. Download a printer-friendly PDF version.
2012 Public Defender Corps application is now closed.
Applications for the 2012 Public Defender Corps class are no longer being accepted.
Approximately 14 Fellowship positions will be available in the 2012 class and we anticipate a fierce competition for these positions. Please note that the selection process for host sites is currently underway and will be completed in the Fall. Applicants who advance to the final round of review will be able to rank their host site preferences.
To learn more about the program, read our Frequently Asked Questions.
Please contact Equal Justice Works at publicdefendercorps@equaljusticeworks.org for questions regarding Public Defender Corps members in Kentucky, New York and Pennsylvania.
Please contact Ilham Askia at ilham@thespdtc.org for questions regarding Public Defender Corps members in Alabama, Louisiana, North Carolina and Tennessee.