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

MEETING NOTICE:

2nd Quarter '21:

Wednesday, September 22 * 2 p.m. Eastern

This meeting will be held virtually based on Indiana's State of Emergency.

To join the meeting via Zoom, click here: https://iu.zoom.us/j/86362155150

To join the meeting via telephone, dial: 301-715-8592 (Meeting ID: 863-6215-5150, no participant ID necessary)

Click here for the agenda & meeting materials, excluding the itemized requests for reimbursement. (coming soon)

Click here for the agenda & meeting materials, including the itemized requests for reimbursement. (coming soon)

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). 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 & 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. The public is welcome attend via the electronic means that will be posted on this site or in person at the meeting location.

Remaining 2021 Reimbursement Request Due Dates:

3rd Quarter '21 (July 1 - September 30): November 14

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.