PRISONER SATISFACTION WITH DEFENSE COUNSEL

• NCJ Number: 36182
• Journal: Criminal Law Bulletin Volume: 12 Issue: 4 Dated: (JULY-AUGUST 1976) Pages: 427-450
• Author(s): B M ATKINS; E W BOYLE
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 24 pages
• Corporate Author: Warren, Gorham and Lamont, Inc
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

REPORT OF A STUDY CONDUCTED AMONG INMATES IN SOUTH CAROLINA CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS TO UNCOVER FACTORS DETERMINATIVE OF SATISFACTION WITH THE PREFORMANCE OF DEFENSE COUNSEL.

Abstract

INTERVIEWS WERE CONDUCTED BY STATE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS OFFICIALS AMONG A STRATIFIED RANDOM SAMPLE OF PRISONERS AT TWO MEDIUM SECURITY CORRECTIONAL FACILTIIES. FINDINGS INDICATE THAT CLIENTS REPRESENTED BY PUBLIC DEFENDERS WERE ALMOST TWICE AS LIKELY TO BE SATISFIED WITH THE ATTORNEY EVEN THOUGH CLIENTS REPRESENTED BY PRIVATE COUNSEL ENTERED FEWER GUILTY PLEAS THAN THOSE REPRESENTED BY PUBLIC DEFENDERS, IRRESPECTIVE OF OFFENSE SERIOUSNESS. THE AUTHORS FEEL THAT THESE FINDINGS SUGGEST THAT ALTHOUGH THERE IS NO DIRECT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DEFENDANT SATISFACTION AND TYPE OF COUNSEL, THE INTERVENING VARIABLE OF THE TYPE OF PLEA ENTERED DOES AFFECT DEFENDANT SATISFACTION.