NCJ Number
94701
Date Published
1984
Length
51 pages
Annotation
The National Criminal Defense Systems Study provides national level data on defense system types, funding sources, costs, and caseloads.
Abstract
Survey results have shown that there has been limited change over the past 10 years in the types of systems providing representation to indigent defendants around the country. However, the dollar amount for indigent defense services has increased substantially. At the same time, both the caseload and new legal requirements have continued to place pressure on the delivery system itself. Findings reveal that in 1982, close to $265 million was spent on indigent defense services in close to 3.2 million cases tried in State and local courts; assigned counsel systems continued to dominate service delivery patterns, with 60 percent of U.S. counties using assigned counsel; and public defender systems are the dominant form in 43 of the the 50 largest American counties, serving 68 percent of the U.S. population. State-by-State analysis shows that while that total number of counties using assigned counsel exceed those using public defender programs, the number of States where the majority of counties use assigned counsel (22) is less than the number using public defenders (24). The report describes the three primary characteristics of indigent defense systems. Finally, the cost of indigent defense and variations in case processing are discussed. A map and data tables are included.