ABA ABA TEN TEN

PRINCIPLESPRINCIPLESOF A PUBLIC DEFENSE DELIVERY OF A PUBLIC DEFENSE DELIVERY

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Copyright © 2002 American Bar Association

ABA TEN PRINCIPLESABA TEN PRINCIPLES OF A PUBLIC DEFENSE DELIVERY OF A PUBLIC DEFENSE DELIVERY

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Approved by American Bar Association House of Delegates, February 2002.

The American Bar Association recommends that jurisdictions use these Principles to assess promptly the needs of public defense delivery systems and clearly communicate those needs to policy makers.

ABA TEN PRINCIPLESABA TEN PRINCIPLES OF A PUBLIC DEFENSE DELIVERY OF A PUBLIC DEFENSE DELIVERY

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1. The public defense function, including theselection, funding, and payment ofdefense counsel, is independent.

6. Defense counsel’s ability, training, andexperience match the complexity of thecase.

2. Where the caseload is sufficiently high,the public defense delivery systemconsists of both a defender office and theactive participation of the private bar.

7. The same attorney continuously representsthe client until completion of the case.

3. Clients are screened for eligibility, anddefense counsel is assigned and notifiedof appointment, as soon as feasible afterclients’ arrest, detention, or request forcounsel.

8. There is parity between defense counseland the prosecution with respect toresources and defense counsel is includedas an equal partner in the justice system.

4. Defense counsel is provided sufficienttime and a confidential space withinwhich to meet with the client.

9. Defense counsel is provided with andrequired to attend continuing legaleducation.

5. Defense counsel’s workload is controlledto permit the rendering of qualityrepresentation.

10. Defense counsel is supervised andsystematically reviewed for quality andefficiency according to nationally andlocally adopted standards.

ABA TEN PRINCIPLESABA TEN PRINCIPLES OF A PUBLIC DEFENSE DELIVERY OF A PUBLIC DEFENSE DELIVERY

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The public defense function, including the selection, funding, and payment of defense counsel, is independent.

ABA TEN PRINCIPLESABA TEN PRINCIPLES OF A PUBLIC DEFENSE DELIVERY OF A PUBLIC DEFENSE DELIVERY

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Where the caseload is sufficiently high, the public defense delivery system consists of both a defender office and the active participation of the private bar.

ABA TEN PRINCIPLESABA TEN PRINCIPLES OF A PUBLIC DEFENSE DELIVERY OF A PUBLIC DEFENSE DELIVERY

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Clients are screened for eligibility, and defense counsel is assigned and notified of appointment, as soon as feasible after clients’ arrest, detention, or request for counsel.

ABA TEN PRINCIPLESABA TEN PRINCIPLES OF A PUBLIC DEFENSE DELIVERY OF A PUBLIC DEFENSE DELIVERY

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Defense counsel is provided sufficient time and a confidential space within which to meet with the client.

ABA TEN PRINCIPLESABA TEN PRINCIPLES OF A PUBLIC DEFENSE DELIVERY OF A PUBLIC DEFENSE DELIVERY

SYSTEMSYSTEM____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Defense counsel’s workload is controlled to permit the rendering of quality representation.

ABA TEN PRINCIPLESABA TEN PRINCIPLES OF A PUBLIC DEFENSE DELIVERY OF A PUBLIC DEFENSE DELIVERY

SYSTEMSYSTEM____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Defense counsel’s ability, training, and experience match the complexity of the case.

ABA TEN PRINCIPLESABA TEN PRINCIPLES OF A PUBLIC DEFENSE DELIVERY OF A PUBLIC DEFENSE DELIVERY

SYSTEMSYSTEM____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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The same attorney continuously represents the client until completion of the case.

ABA TEN PRINCIPLESABA TEN PRINCIPLES OF A PUBLIC DEFENSE DELIVERY OF A PUBLIC DEFENSE DELIVERY

SYSTEMSYSTEM____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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There is parity between defense counsel and the prosecution with respect to resources and defense counsel is included as an equal partner in the justice system.

ABA TEN PRINCIPLESABA TEN PRINCIPLES OF A PUBLIC DEFENSE DELIVERY OF A PUBLIC DEFENSE DELIVERY

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Defense counsel is provided with and required to attend continuing legal education.

ABA TEN PRINCIPLESABA TEN PRINCIPLES OF A PUBLIC DEFENSE DELIVERY OF A PUBLIC DEFENSE DELIVERY

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Defense counsel is supervised and systematically reviewed for quality and efficiency according to nationally and locally adopted standards.

11th Principle: Michigan State Bar

“When there is a defender office, one function of the office will be to explore and advocate for programs that improve the system and reduce recidivism.”

--Adopted on April 27, 2002