While competent defense counsel is essential to the fair administration of criminal justice, public defenders in the United States often lack the time and resources to provide the quality representation their clients deserve. But a new model promises to revolutionize the system.

(Originally published by Project Syndicate on October 8, 2024.)

STANFORD – The public-defender system in the United States is plagued by underfunding, overwhelming caseloads, and entrenched inequalities. Public defenders, who manage hundreds of cases, often lack the time and resources needed to provide the high-quality representation their clients deserve. This results in a justice system where the quality of one’s legal defense depends on one’s financial means, undermining the fundamental principle of equal justice for all.

While many Americans may believe they will never face a criminal investigation, one in three will have a criminal record at some point in their lives, and one in three has been arrested by age 23. When an arrest occurs, competent defense counsel is crucial to protecting the rights of the accused amid the complexities of the criminal-justice system. Most people charged with a crime are likely to be represented by public defenders, who handle 60-80% of state felony cases and nearly 90% of federal felony cases.

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