Our Impact
This Is How We Reclaim Justice
Through advocacy, expert assistance, information sharing, and collaboration, we’re building a movement that strengthens the constitutional right to counsel for all.
Reclaiming Justice Nationwide
Our work in service of our mission goes far beyond training and supporting individual public defenders. NAPD also acts as the voice of public defense, contributing to national momentum and initiating critical conversations about the crises facing public defenders and the right to counsel across the United States.
The Voice Of Public Defense
NAPD serves as the collective voice of public defenders, advocating for systemic reforms, adequate funding, and manageable caseloads. Our influence extends from local courtrooms to the halls of Congress.
A Catalyst For Change
Through our technical assistance projects, insightful blog content, and our collaborative work with allied advocacy organizations and grant partners, we help public defenders take real measurable steps toward a brighter future.
NAPD's Official Stances On The Issues That Matter Most To Public Defense
NAPD leads the charge for meaningful reform in the criminal justice system. We work at every level of government to secure the resources, standards, and policies that public defenders need to provide effective representation.
Our advocacy efforts focus on addressing the root causes of inadequate representation: excessive caseloads, insufficient funding, and lack of systemic accountability. Through coalition building, legislative engagement, and public education, we’re changing the conversation about public defense.
What We've Stood Up For
NAPD responds to a diverse array of issues impacting public defense. Below are just a few examples:
Immigration Rights & Condemnation of ICE
Student Loan Forgiveness For Public Defenders
The Constitutional Necessity Of Workloads Standards
Protecting Independence For Public Defender Systems
The Critical Importance Of Our Continued Commitment To DEI
Wellbeing & Sustainability For Individuals & Systems
Technical Assistance Programs
Changing Public Defense Culture Through Hands-On Support
NAPD provides highly customized services designed to assist specific audiences, typically targeting a single organization or system. All projects are vetted by the Executive Director and often involve a collaborative partnership between NAPD staff and expert contractors.
Our Blog
Stay connected with the latest from NAPD leadership and the broader public defense community. Here you’ll find announcements, event recaps, court summaries, educational resources, and member-submitted commentary and opinion pieces.
Initiatives Making a Difference
Our flagship initiatives are driving systemic change in public defense across the country.
Public Defense Independence Convening
In partnership with the American Bar Association, NAPD is convening researchers, practitioners, and policy experts to develop concrete frameworks for protecting defender independence and strengthening the constitutional right to counsel.
BJS Census of Public Defender Offices
NAPD is serving as a subject matter expert and co-investigator on the first comprehensive nationwide census of public defender offices since 2007, collecting critical data on funding, staffing, and caseloads across the country.
This Is Defense Video Project
Launched in partnership with Zealous to mark the 60th anniversary of Gideon v. Wainwright, this growing video archive captures the voices, experiences, and stories of working public defenders from across the country.
BJS Survey of Public Defenders
As a co-investigator on this BJS-funded pilot, NAPD helped survey public defenders nationwide on their demographics, working conditions, caseloads, and access to resources — laying the groundwork for the full-scale 2025 Survey of Public Defenders.