Systemic right to counsel failures cannot be resolved in case-by-case reviews
Systemic right to counsel failures cannot be resolved in case-by-case reviews
Pleading the Sixth: In America, the indigent accused has a constitutional right to be represented by an effective lawyer at all critical stages of a case where loss of liberty is a potential penalty. But what if that lawyer is incapable of, or structurally prevented from, advocating for a defendant’s stated…
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September 9, 2024
Federal district court in Arkansas rules defendants have a right to an attorney at bail hearings
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June 19, 2024
Colorado bans flat fees and low hourly rates in certain cases
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April 10, 2024
Strike 6: New lawsuit hits in San Mateo County, California
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March 26, 2024
New Guam report finds judicial influence over indigent defense
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March 22, 2024
Louisiana Governor institutionalizes political interference
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March 19, 2024
South Dakota leaves nation’s “no state funding” list in groundbreaking legislation
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March 5, 2024
Strike 5: The State of California calls a strike on San Benito County
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December 14, 2023
Pennsylvania is off the “no state funding” list. Is South Dakota next?
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December 11, 2023
Virginia legislative report finds low fee caps cause problems
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August 8, 2023
Revised ABA Ten Principles: A new public defense roadmap for policymakers
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July 14, 2023
Oregon passes sweeping indigent defense reforms
Support Our Work
Criminal justice issues that disproportionately harm poor people, such as wrongful convictions and over-incarceration, cannot be fixed if indigent defendants are given attorneys who do not have the time, resources, or qualifications, to be a constitutional check on government. Yet, investment in improving indigent defense services remains largely neglected. The Sixth Amendment Center is the only nonprofit organization in the country that exclusively examines, uncovers, and helps fix the root of the indigent defense crisis in which inequality is perpetuated because poor defendants do not get a fair fight.
The Sixth Amendment Center is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization under EIN: 45-3477185.
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