The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and Seattle University School of Law are organizing a conference at the Open Society Institute in New York City to discuss Misdemeanor Public Defense.
This conference will be an important part of an eight-month project to study misdemeanor public defense services in the United States, to identify strengths and weaknesses in misdemeanor representation and to develop recommendations for improvement.
Most people who go to court in this country go for a misdemeanor, and a large portion of them end up pleading guilty without ever talking to an attorney except the prosecutor.
At this conference, we will gather information on existing systems and discuss how to strengthen public defense. We also will discuss diversion programs, decriminalization programs and other possible solutions.
Please save this date on your calendar. Further details will be forthcoming. We also plan a national conference at Seattle University on July 11.
If you have questions or suggestions, please let us know.
Thank you.
Malia Brink, NACDL malia@nacdl.org
Bob Boruchowitz, Seattle University School of Law