State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services

The State Board of Indigents' Defense Services is a justice organization committed to serving low income populations. The standing mission of the State Board of Indigents' Defense Services is to offer, supervise and coordinate, in the most effective and financially responsible manner possible, the constitutionally and statutorily mandated legal counsel and related supports for every indigent person facing charges of felony crime and for all other indigent individuals as required by law. Defense attorneys with the organization believe that all individuals have a right to mount a defense in court regardless of income status. Public defenders are assigned to eligible individuals by the court based on financial need and cannot begin work with a client until a judge has officially assigned them to a particular case. Individuals who are facing charges and have financial hardship may request an attorney from the judge at any time, but are encouraged to so as early in the judicial process as possible.