2012 Public Defender Corps Application Period Opens August 15

Across the country, public defender offices are underfunded, understaffed and burdened with insurmountable caseloads.  With too few public defenders handling too many cases, those who cannot afford representation are being denied their fundamental right to counsel, and many are languishing in jail at taxpayers’ expense.  Equal Justice Works and the Southern Public Defender Training Center  have launched a new initiative to combat this growing problem.  Public Defender Corps will provide intensive training and mentoring to new attorneys with the goal of supporting the public defender community and raising the standard of representation across the country.

The inaugural class of 18 Public Defender Corps members have completed training and joined public defender offices in Alabama, Louisiana, Kentucky, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee where they will receive ongoing training and mentoring.

Applications for the 2012 Public Defender Corps class will be accepted beginning August 15, 2011.  Applications must be completed and submitted online by 5 p.m. EDT, September 16, 2011.  Late and/or incomplete applications will not be accepted.  Approximately 14 Fellowship positions will be available in the 2012 class. Please note that the selection process for host sites is currently underway and will be completed in the Fall. Applicants who advance to the final round of review will be able to rank their host site preferences.