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

Meeting Notice:

Due to quorum requirements, the 2nd Quarter 2022 Commission Meeting has been rescheduled for October 5 at 2 p.m. Eastern. The public is welcome to attend the meeting in person, via Zoom, or via telephone:

Zoom:  https://iu.zoom.us/j/82876739337

Telephone: 646-558-8656 (Meeting ID: 828-7673-9337; no participant ID necessary)

Click HERE for the Meeting Agenda and Materials, excluding the itemized requests for reimbursement. (coming soon)

Click HERE for the itemized requests for reimbursement. (coming soon)

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.

Remaining 2022 Reimbursement Request Due Dates and Commission Meeting Dates:

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.