First NAPD National Family Defense Conference: A Resounding Success
Renee Brodsky, Assistant Training DirectorStephanne Thornton, Social Work Training & Resource Coordinator The National Association for Public Defense (NAPD) successfully hosted its inaugural national conference dedicated to family defense: “Defending Families, Protecting Futures.” Held in Seattle, WA, from September 11-13, this landmark event brought together a diverse and dynamic community of attorneys, investigators, social workers, […]
Martin v. U.S.: Supreme Court rejects Eleventh Circuit’s approach to Federal Tort Claims Act
By Greg Mermelstein, Deputy Director & General Counsel, Missouri Public Defender The “law enforcement proviso” in the Federal Tort Claims Act does not override the “discretionary-function exception” in the statute, the Supreme Court held June 12 in Martin v. United States. The Court further held the Supremacy Clause does not provide a defense to the […]
Anthony Benedetti: NAPD’s Newest President
Anthony Benedetti has been part of NAPD since its earliest days. In 2013, when the organization began as the National Association for Public Defense with only 30 members, no funding, no staff, and no structure – just a passionate group of advocates with a vision – he was among those who recognized the movement’s potential. […]
NAPD & PDAP’s Unpacking Microaggressions Training Packs a Big Punch
An Event Review Brittany Gail Thomas (BGT), Esq., DEIJ Coordinator “What is a microaggression?” “How do I avoid committing/causing microaggressions?” “What can leaders of public defense offices to do promote inclusion and reduce microaggressions?” “I mean no disrespect but [. . .] given our collective history (indigenous, captive, and captor/colonizer) how is it possible for […]
Spotlight on Wellness & Sustainability
Wellness in public defense is a professional requirement, not a luxury. Public defense work has evolved and, in the modern era, demands extraordinary individual commitment to providing holistic defense. However, sustainability requires shifting from individual responsibility to shared organizational responsibility. Among public defense professionals and in recent publications, it has become a common discussion that […]
The Problem with Ignoring the National Public Defense Workload Study
By Kawan Clinton, Deputy Attorney in Charge of the Manhattan trial office of The LegalAid Society. Co-chair of the NAPD Workloads Committee. This blog is in response to Professor John P. Gross: https://publicdefenders.us/blogs/the-problems-with-the-national-public-defense-workload-study/.1The problem with the National Public Defense Workload Study (NPDWS) is simple. It is longoverdue and lands in a political landscape that makes […]
Bondi v. Vanderstok: AFT regulations of “weapon part kits” are not facially invalid
By Greg Mermelstein, Deputy Director & General Counsel, Missouri Public Defender The federal regulations requiring that “weapon part kits” comply with the licensing, record-keeping and background check requirements of the Gun Control Act are not facially invalid, the U.S. Supreme Court held March 26 in Bondi v. Vanderstok. The Gun Control Act of […]
Kousisis v. U.S.: Wire-fraud conviction for fraudulent inducement doesn’t require victim suffer pecuniary loss
By Greg Mermelstein, Deputy Director & General Counsel, Missouri Public Defender Making a materially false statement to obtain money or property violates the federal wire fraud statute even if the victim – who receives goods or services in return –doesn’t suffer pecuniary loss, the U.S. Supreme Court held May 22 in Kousisis v. United […]
Barnes v. Felix: Supreme Court rejects “moment-of-threat” rule in police shootings
By Greg Mermelstein, Deputy Director & General Counsel, Missouri Public Defender Courts must consider the totality of circumstances – not just circumstances during the “moment of threat” — in determining whether police use of deadly force is objectively reasonable under the Fourth Amendment, the U.S. Supreme Court held May 15 in Barnes v. Felix. […]
Thompson v. U.S.: Statute prohibiting “false” statements in connection with loans does not criminalize “misleading” statements
By Greg Mermelstein, Deputy Director & General Counsel, Missouri Public Defender The federal statute which prohibits making false statements to the FDIC in connection with a loan does not criminalize “misleading” statements which are not false, the U.S. Supreme Court held March 21 in Thompson v. United States. Patrick Thompson took out three […]
Delligatti v. U.S.: Crimes of omission qualify as “crimes of violence” under ACCA
By Greg Mermelstein, Deputy Director & General Counsel, Missouri Public Defender Causing bodily injury by omission qualifies as a “crime of violence” under the Armed Career Criminal Act Sec. 924(c)(3)(A), the U.S. Supreme Court held March 21 in Delligatti v. United States. ACCA subjects defendants who use or carry a firearm during a […]
The Leadership Institute’s Winning Formula Continues to Shape Public Defense Leaders
The National Association for Public Defense (NAPD) Leadership Institute’s essential training for public defense leaders across the country took place this past April in Indianapolis. Its success, highlighted by the sold-out 2025 program, comes from its practical approach to real-world leadership challenges. What sets the Leadership Institute apart is its carefully crafted curriculum, specifically designed […]