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A Public Defender Efficacy Study | 18 comments (18 topical)

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The findings were (none / 0) (#9)
by Edger on Mon Jan 08, 2007 at 02:21:37 PM EST
The average sentence for clients of public defenders was almost three years longer than the average for clients of private lawyers.

Private laywers with self interest (fees) are working harder for their clients that the PD's?

[ Parent ]

Public defenders with overwhelming caseloads (5.00 / 1) (#10)
by scribe on Mon Jan 08, 2007 at 03:38:25 PM EST
are doing the best they can.

And, I don't trust things which might skew the nice, round numbers the survey came up with, like:
(a) counting probation as a "zero" (the same as an acquittal), and
(b) counting a life sentence as 110 years.

Under that calculating basis, and even in a sample of 5,000 or so cases, a five life sentences for indigent defendants will outweigh half a thousand drug convictions with five-years' probation.

The math?

5 life sentences rep'd by PDs @ 110 years incarceration each = 550 years
500 five-year probation rep'd by private attorneys @ zero years incarceration each = zero years

No, this is a hit job on PDs - using junk science - masquerading as something judicially approved.  The more I think about it, the more I opine this judge should be turned in to the ethics authorities for lending the dignity of his office to a scam.

[ Parent ]

Thanks scribe (none / 0) (#11)
by Edger on Mon Jan 08, 2007 at 03:46:25 PM EST
didn't smell right about Hoffman's statement, which is why I phrased that possible interpretation as a question - and I hope other people who read it won't interpret it that way, but I'm afraid that many might...

[ Parent ]
correction (none / 0) (#12)
by Edger on Mon Jan 08, 2007 at 03:47:08 PM EST
something didn't smell right

[ Parent ]

A Public Defender Efficacy Study | 18 comments (18 topical)

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