Defender Track - The Leadership Challenge of Change and Reform

As the Obama Administration completes its first year in office, there is renewed hope in the public defense community that the federal government will at last provide real support for the promise of Gideon. However, this spirit of optimism must be balanced by the fact that many public defense programs continue to be compromised by a of lack independence and inadequate funding, resulting in excessive caseloads, high turnover, and a lack of technology, training and other resources necessary to provide quality representation for clients. These systemic challenges have created opportunities for criminal justice system stakeholders to collaborate on issues such as reclassification and decriminalization of misdemeanor offenses, racial justice, and re-entry.

The focus of this year’s Defender Track is to identify the challenges facing public defense systems and to provide defense leaders with the skills to meet these challenges at this unique time in our nation’s history and make justice for all a reality.

Join us in Denver for "Justice in Times of Challenge and Change." See the 2009 Annual Conference Program Book for complete information about our keynote speaker, all session offerings throughout the conference, and networking and social opportunities.