Connecticut

The state of Connecticut funds and administers all indigent defense services in adult criminal trials. A state commission is responsible for providing oversight of services statewide. 

The state of Connecticut funds and administers all indigent defense services for adult criminal cases in its appellate courts. A state commission is responsible for providing oversight of services statewide.

  • 8 Counties State Funded

  • 8 Counties State Administered

  • 8 Counties with a Commission With Statewide Authority

  • 8 Counties State Funded

  • 8 Counties State Administered

  • 8 Counties with a Commission With Statewide Authority

The state-funded Connecticut Division of Public Defender Services (DPDS) administers all indigent defense services across the state, including adult and juvenile trials, appeals and post-conviction matters. DPDS provides representation in adult trial-level cases primarily through public defender offices. When public defender offices have conflict or overflow cases, DPDS contracts with private attorneys on an hourly or flat fee basis.

A chief public defender leads DPDS, and the Public Defender Services Commission oversees the agency. The commission is composed of seven members appointed by diverse authorities and appoints the chief public defender and the deputy chief public defender. The chief public defender establishes divisions and staff as necessary, with the approval of the commission. The commission also establishes guidelines for the delivery of indigent defense services. The chief public defender is responsible for supervising all indigent defense representation statewide.

The state-funded Connecticut Division of Public Defender Services (DPDS) administers all indigent defense services in adult criminal appeals. DPDS also provides adult trial, juvenile, and post-conviction representation. DPDS provides representation in adult appeals primarily through its legal services unit. DPDS also contracts with private attorneys paid on an hourly or flat fee basis to handle appeals when the legal services unit has a conflict.

A chief public defender leads DPDS, and the Public Defender Services Commission oversees the agency. The commission is composed of seven members appointed by diverse authorities and appoints the chief public defender and the deputy chief public defender. The chief public defender establishes divisions and staff as necessary, with the approval of the commission. The commission also establishes guidelines for the delivery of indigent defense services. The chief public defender is responsible for supervising all indigent defense representation statewide.

Dig Deeper

Questions Open/Close

Who serves on the commission?

What are the required qualifications of the chief public defender?

Who selects private attorneys who provide indigent defense services?

Can a public defender office declare a conflict based on excess workload?

Is there any pay parity between indigent defense providers and prosecutors in the state?

In which branch of state government does the indigent defense system reside?