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Analysis of Indiana's Public Defense Caseload Standards
Click HERE to read a study performed by the ABA and Crowe, Inc, that evaluates Indiana's current caseload standards.Welcome to the Public Defender Commission
Since 1989, the Indiana Public Defender Commission has served to recommend standards for indigent defense to improve the quality of public defenders in both death penalty and non-capital cases. The Commission is the standards and county funding arm of the three organizations that work to improve public defense throughout the state of Indiana. Please look below to see which service can help you with your request. Thank you for visiting our website!
News and Announcements
2021 Reimbursement Request Due Dates:
1st Quarter '21 (Jan 1 - March 31): May 15, 2021
2nd Quarter '21 (April 1 - June 30): August 14, 2021
3rd Quarter '21 (July 1 - September 30): November 14, 2021
Remaining 2021 Commission Meeting Dates:
1st Quarter '21: Wednesday, June 16, 2021
2nd Quarter '21: Wednesday, September 22, 2021
3rd Quarter '21: Wednesday, December 15, 2021
Commission meetings begin at 2 p.m. Eastern and comply with The Indiana Open Door Law (IC § 5-14-1.5). The public is invited to attend the meetings, excluding any Executive Sessions that may be scheduled as permitted under IC § 5-14-1.5-2(f). Notice of Executive Sessions will be made at least 48 hours in advance. Agendas for regularly scheduled meetings will be posted at least 24 hours in advance at the entrance to the Commission Office (309 W. Washington Street, Suite 501, Indianapolis, IN, 46204) and will be posted on this site. Please note: In light of Indiana's State of Emergency, Commission meetings may be held electronically. The public is welcome attend via the electronic means that will be posted at this site at least 24 hours in advance.
Complaint About a Judicial Officer
If you have a complaint about your public defender, please contact the local Chief Public Defender or head of your local Public Defender Board to report the issues. If you feel the attorney violated their Rules of Professional Conduct you should contact the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission to formally file your complaint. The Indiana Public Defender Commission cannot prosecute public defender misconduct.
If you believe your judge improperly denied you an attorney and your county receives Commission reimbursement please contact us. If you believe your judge has violated the Code of Judicial Conduct, you should contact the Judicial Qualifications Commission to file a complaint.