Defendants on the lower end of the socio-economic scale find themselves at the mercy of public defenders who are swamped with cases, understaffed, and underfunded. Research shows that even before mass incarceration accelerated in the 1980s, overburdened systems of indigent defense struggled to meet the 6th Amendment constitutional mandate. Public defenders usually have the deck stacked against them due to discovery laws favoring prosecutors and lack of sufficient resources.
“Over a 10-year period, representation by the Bronx Defenders saved our clients 1.1 million days in jail. The study shows that public defenders are a powerful weapon in the fight against mass incarceration. If we work together, we will be able to deliver the new set of rights that Mr. Mill calls for. “
New York Times
December 7, 2018
Read More