Welcome to the Indiana Public Defender Commission Website!

Since 1989, the Indiana Public Defender Commission has served to create standards for public defense services in Indiana Counties or Regional Systems 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 and Federal Title 4-E Funding to ALL counties that request funding.

The Commission is an independent, judicial branch state agency of Indiana's state government.

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

News and Announcements

2023 Remaining Reimbursement Request Due Dates & Commission Meeting Dates:

Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Annual Report Released (10/31/22):

Click HERE to read the annual report.

Salary & Hourly Rate Increase Announcement (7/1/22):

Effective January 1, 2023, the salaries for Chief Public Defenders & Chief Deputies and the hourly rates for non-capital and capital attorneys will increase. This delay in implementation of the increases is intended to allow for county-based public defense systems to factor the increases in to the annual county budgeting process. Click here for more information.

Guideline Change Announcement (12/30/21):

Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission has approved changes to the guidelines that accompany Standard G (Compensation) and to Standard J (Caseloads). Click here for more information.