Defending the Indigent White-Collar Criminal: Federal Public Defender Defense Strategies for Post-Indictment Representation

• NCJ Number: 221018
• Journal: Journal of Crime and Justice Volume: 30 Issue: 2 Dated: 2007 Pages: 79-113
• Author(s): Jessica L. Leto; Mark R. Pogrebin; Paul B. Stretesky
• Date Published: 2007
• Length: 35 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study explored the defense strategies of Federal public defenders in representing their white collar crime clients.

Abstract

After extensive attorney interviews, it was discovered that each Federal public defender relied on a devised strategy that helped them manage their case as well as their client. Specifically, it was found that Federal public defenders practiced three defense strategies (the process, the client, and discovery) and each strategy was based on the nature of the criminal accusations and the defense attorney’s lawyering style. Research on white-collar criminal defense attorneys largely focuses on private attorneys. Yet, little is known about public defenders representing individuals charged with white-collar crime. Data for this study were collected from a Federal public defender’s office located in a Western State. Extensive interviews were conducted to explore the defense strategies that these Federal public defenders used to represent their white-collar clients. References and appendix