Our membership is restricted by statute to "...all
public defenders, contractual pauper counsel and other court appointed
attorneys regularly appointed to represent indigent defendants."
If you meet the definition, you are automatically a member of the
Council. To be added to our membership list complete this
form and mail/fax it to the Council. If you have any questions,
please contact Loretta Jackson
at the Council.
Training
IPDC offers approximately 12 seminars per year to criminal defense
attorneys and other criminal defense professionals. The seminars
link above will take you to our current seminar schedule.
Publications
IPDC offers a variety of publications including a monthly newsletter
(The Indiana Defender), manuals and handbooks in hard copy
and electronic format. For a detailed list and description click
on the publications link above.
Non-Capital Research/Consultation
The Council provides research assistance and consultation in
non-capital cases to our members for their indigent defense cases.
This assistance includes legal research, referrals to expert witnesses,
brainstorming, and consultation regarding strategy and tactics.
Capital Research/Consultation
In addition to its Death Penalty Defense Manual and its annual
Death Penalty Defense Seminar, the Council provides regular reports,
in the Capital Corner section of the Indiana Defender, regarding
developments affecting capital litigation at the trial and appellate
levels. The Council also provides consultation, research, and
technical assistance in death penalty cases, including sample
pleadings, networking with other attorneys with experience in
similar cases as well as regarding change of judge or county,
referral to expert witnesses, and referral to mitigation investigators.
Liaison
- The Council maintains liaison contact with study commissions,
bar associations, organizations, and agencies of local, state,
and federal government regarding indigent defense services.
- The Council tracks all criminal justice legislation during
sessions of the Indiana General Assembly and may be contacted
for information on specific bills.
- The Council also serves as a clearinghouse for information
about indigent defense delivery systems, and assists courts,
bar associations, and members in developing more effective and
efficient defender delivery systems.
See the Indiana
Public Defender Commission web site for information on standards
for indigent defense services and reimbursement guidelines.
Technical Assistance
Advice and technical assistance in applying computers to automate
public defender offices, and installing local area networks.