public defender service
Fortifying & Reforming The Culture of Public Defense
In Gideon v. Wainwright (1963), the United States Supreme Court unanimously ruled that every person accused of a crime in America must be provided with legal defense counsel, regardless of their economic status or ability to pay.

Lady Justice's Scale Isn't Balanced Yet
80% of people accused of a crime are represented by a public defender. Despite this reality, prosecutors’ offices nationwide receive $3.5 billion more in annual funding than public defender offices.
57% of incarcerated men and 72% of incarcerated women were in poverty prior to their arrest. Still, many states are decreasing funding for the public defenders dedicated to protecting these people.
The average caseload of a Gideon’s Promise-trained public defender is 250 cases per year. The American Bar Association recommends 150 felony cases annually.
Featured Services
Support Services & Training For Current & Aspiring Public Defenders
From law school to career maturity, and from endless energy to exhaustion. We're here for you, wherever you might be on your journey in providing public defender services.
Upcoming Events
Jul
15

Summer Session 2022
Atlanta, GA
July 15 - July 17
Gideon’s Promise Summer Session is a three-day trainings held annually in July. Summer Session gives us an opportunity for Gideon's Promise “Returners” and Alumni to continue to hone their trial skills. Summer Session provides current CORE 101 members who have completed their initial two-week training and are continuing to matriculate through the CORE 101 training (aka “Returners”) with ongoing training and support. Gideon’s Promise alumni who have completed their CORE 101 program are able to attend follow-up training, based on their needs.
View Event DetailsJul
16

Summer Institute 2022
Atlanta, GA
July 16, 2022 - July 30, 2022
Summer Institute is a two-week program that Gideon’s Promise offers to our growing public defender community. This annual program brings together public defenders from all over the country to sharpen their legal skills as they provide support to vulnerable populations. Summer Institute provides training to defenders who are in different stages of their careers.
View Event DetailsOur Secret Weapon: Community
What makes Gideon’s Promise unique is our collective community of public defenders. Having a strong and secure support network is at the core of what makes Gideon’s Promise so successful.
When a public defender chooses to enter this line of work, they do so with passion and a genuine desire to help change the way our country’s legal system operates. The average caseload of a Gideon’s Promise public defender is 250 cases per year; however, the American Bar Association recommends 150 felony cases annually. A public defender’s role defending and protecting the most vulnerable communities throughout the country can become increasingly more difficult and exhausting as they progress in their career due to the lack of resources and manpower within their offices.
That is where Gideon’s Promise steps in. Gideon’s Promise has a wide range of services and resources that engages its public defender community to lean on and utilize for support. We meet public defenders wherever they are in their career. Through our programs, public defenders get to restore their passion for fighting injustice in the communities they serve. They can find a network of like-minded individuals who understand the overwhelming nature of their work. Our programs offer a lifeline to public defenders – our country’s frontline workers in the fight against injustice.




Protecting The Promise
You don't have to be a public defender to protect the promise of zealous counsel for all. Your monthly contribution--no matter the amount--will directly impact the fate of a client accused of a crime, who didn't know they needed you.