Conflicts of Interest in Public Defender Offices

Classroom A, Hirsch Hall

Public defender offices serve a crucial public interest, but they are uniquely prone to a number of conflicts of interest. Clients indicted together may have adverse interests but few other options for defense counsel. Every state structures its public defender offices differently; in some states, public funding regulations may incentivize high client volume over quality counsel. The panelists have extensive experience in state and federal public defender offices and are also leading scholars on the unique conflicts those offices face.