Plight of the Indigent Accused in America - An Examination of Alternative Models for Providing Criminal Defense Services to the Poor, Volume 3

• NCJ Number: 98681
• Author(s): N Albert-goldberg; M J Hartman; W J Obrien; P Houlden; S Balkin
• Date Published: April 2025
• Length: 28 pages
• Grant Number(s): 81-IJ-CX-0081
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored

Annotation

This paper describes the methods used in a study that examined the various approaches to the use of private lawyers in providing legal services to the poor and the implications in terms of cost-effectiveness and quality of services provided.

Abstract

The basic research methods used were a literature search, selection of sites for study, field work, and statistical analysis. The literature search identified indicators of attorney performance and existing private bar indigent defense systems. The site selection process entailed the selection of innovative sites as well as sets of matched sites that could be compared with one another. The field work was a multistage process that included studies of 200 to 400 cases in each of 6 sites and interviews of about 50 persons at each site. A cost study analyzed 100 to 200 attorney fee vouchers at each site. At the innovative sites, the field work was briefer and consisted of gathering information through interviews. A total of 12 sites were included in the full study. Details on the methods of data analysis, the coding procedures, and the limitations of the research methodology are given. For the full study report and an executive summary, see NCJ 98678-80.