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 Key Dates:
Quarter | Reimbursement Request Due Date | Commission Meeting Date |
---|---|---|
4th 2022 | Tuesday, February 14 | Friday, March 24 |
1st 2023 | Monday, May 15 | Wednesday, June 14 |
2nd 2023 | Monday, August 14 | Wednesday, September 20 |
3rd 2023 | Tuesday, November 14 | Wednesday, December 13 |
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.
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.