The challenges facing public defense are too significant for any leader to face alone. ACCD brings together Chief and Deputy Chief Public Defenders from across the country to exchange ideas, solve complex challenges, and strengthen leadership. Together, we advance a stronger public defense system and protect the promise of equal justice for the people and communities we serve.
Mission Statement
The American Council of Chief Defenders (ACCD) mission is to "secure a fair justice system by advocating sound public policy and ensuring quality legal representation for indigent people facing a loss of liberty or accused of a crime" by promoting defender independence and resource parity to guarantee high-quality legal representation for those facing criminal charges.
Key points about the ACCD mission:
- Focus on indigent defense: The ACCD specifically aims to ensure quality legal representation for people who cannot afford an attorney.
- Advocacy for policy change: They actively advocate for policies that promote a fair justice system.
- Defender independence: The ACCD strives to promote the independence of public defenders.
- Quality legal representation: Their primary goal is to guarantee high-quality legal representation for all indigent clients.
By Chiefs. For Chiefs.
Every ACCD program is designed by public defense leaders who understand the realities of leading an office.
The conversations are practical.
The challenges are familiar.
The solutions come from experience.
This reinforces authenticity.
Our Impact
National collaboration
Leadership development
Policy advocacy
Peer learning
Professional support
Defender independence
Annual conference
Hour of Power
Why Chiefs Choose ACCD?
Leading a public defense office requires more than legal expertise. It demands leadership, strategy, collaboration, and a trusted network of peers who understand the complexity of the role.
ACCD provides a place where Chiefs and Deputy Chiefs can exchange ideas, solve challenges together, develop as leaders, and strengthen public defense nationwide.
What is ACCD?
The American Council of Chief Defenders (ACCD) is a national community of public defense leaders dedicated to securing a fair justice system and ensuring high quality legal representation for people facing loss of life, freedom, or family. A practice section of NLADA, ACCD draws from NLADA’s network of defenders to bring together chief and deputy chiefs of diverse indigent defense programs, including public defender offices, assigned counsel systems, and contract systems. ACCD members collaborate through a listserv and annual conferences. The ACCD Conference convenes a national community of public defense leaders dedicated to securing a fair justice system and ensuring high quality legal representation for people facing loss of life, freedom, or family. Attendance at ACCD is restricted to Chief Public Defenders and Deputy Chief Public Defenders.
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