Welcome to the Public Defender Commission

Since 1989, the Indiana Public Defender Commission has served to create standards for public defense services in Indiana Counties that choose to uphold those standards in exchange for a partial reimbursement of county expenses in non-capital cases. The Commission also provides standards and partial reimbursement to all counties in capital (death penalty) cases.

There are three separate state agencies that provide support to Indiana's county-based public defense system. The agencies and their primary duties are listed below.

News and Announcements

Announcement (10/4/21):

Annual Training Set for October 28 & 29

The 2021 Public Defender Commission Annual Training is scheduled for October 28 and 29. The training will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams.

This is a free service and you will not need any special account or access to view the session. A webcam and microphone are not needed. Each session will have its own link.

You may sign up for one or all sessions. Please note: To help you spend your time wisely, we listed a target audience that we think might benefit most from participating in a particular session. However, you are welcome to attend any or all sessions. After all, each county’s setup and needs are different! Please feel free to forward this to anyone in your county that may be interested.

Click here for the registration form. You may complete the form and return it to information@pdcom.in.gov. You’ll receive a confirmation email with your selected sessions.  If you have any questions, please let us know.

Remaining 2021 Reimbursement Request Due Dates:

3rd Quarter '21 (July 1 - September 30): Monday, November 15

Remaining 2021 Commission Meeting Dates:

3rd Quarter '21: Wednesday, December 15

Commission meetings begin at 2 p.m. Eastern and comply with The Indiana Open Door Law (IC § 5-14-1.5). Meetings are held at the Commission Office (309 W. Washington Street, Suite 501, Indianapolis, IN, 46204), unless otherwise stated on the meeting notice and agenda. The public is invited to attend in person or via electronic means permitted under IC § 5-14-1.5-3.6, excluding any Executive Sessions that may be scheduled as permitted under IC § 5-14-1.5-6.1. To view the Commission’s Electronic Meeting Policy, click here.

Notice of Executive Sessions & meetings will be posted at the entrance to the Commission Office (309 W. Washington Street, Suite 501, Indianapolis, IN, 46204) and posted on this site at least 48 hours in advance. Meeting materials and agendas will be posted at least 24 hours in advance.

Announcement (6/17/21):

2022 Chief PD & Chief Deputy Salaries

Chief Public Defenders and Chief Deputies in counties with those positions must be compensated at the same rate as the elected prosecutor and chief deputy prosecutors per the Commission's Standards. Counties have until January 2022 to match the adjustments that prosecutors received in July 2021.

Salary adjustments for prosecutors are announced by the Chief Justice each year. Traditionally, the Commission does not require the salary adjustments to take effect for public defenders until the beginning of the subsequent calendar year to allow for County Councils to account for the change during the annual county budgeting process. The Commission reimburses compliant counties for 40% of these salaries. Click here to view the letter from the CJ announcing the adjustments.

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.