SMU's DEASON CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM CENTER RESEARCH DIRECTOR TO LEAD NATIONAL SURVEY OF INDIGENT DEFENSE ATTORNEYS

DALLAS (SMU) – Dr. Andrew Davies, the Director of Research at the Deason Criminal Justice Reform Center at SMU Dedman School of Law, and a team of researchers at the Urban Institute and the National Association for Public Defense, were recently awarded $349,920 from the Bureau of Justice Statistics to pilot test the first national survey of public defense attorneys. Additional funding up to $1 million will support full implementation of the survey if the pilot is a success. Dr. Davies previously oversaw data collection and research for The Office of Indigent Legal Services in Albany, New York.

Data suggests that more than 80% of all criminal defendants are represented by a public defender, though no national survey of those lawyers has ever been conducted. This survey will obtain information directly from public defense lawyers in order to learn about their work, concerns, and access to resources.

The survey results will be used to create a detailed understanding of the delivery of public defense services from the perspective of attorneys and will provide guidance on assessment and training needs for future defenders. The Deason Center and Dr. Davies are excited about collecting this valuable data.

Dr. Davies said, “We are honored to be the first group of researchers to conduct a survey of defenders of this kind. By collaborating with public defenders and groups representing the people they serve, we’ll be able to obtain the most relevant information about public defense. We particularly look forward to learning about previously unknown aspect of public defense work, like the differences in rural and urban practice. The results of the study should have a substantial impact on criminal justice reform around the country.”

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The Deason Criminal Justice Reform Center at SMU Dedman School of Law brings a stats and stories approach to criminal justice reform. By collecting, analyzing, and assessing data, the Deason Center identifies criminal justice policy and reform needs. Combining these statistics with the stories of those who live, work and struggle in our criminal justice system, the Deason Center makes a compelling case for smart, compassionate, and sustainable criminal justice reform. The Deason Center helps criminal justice stakeholders develop and implement best practices and supports data-driven criminal justice research that have utility across multiple jurisdictions. Through conferences, symposia, colloquia, round tables, and working groups, the Deason Center fosters collaborations between scholars, criminal justice researchers and criminal justice stakeholders. The Deason Center also educates SMU students about criminal justice issues and provides students with academic and experiential opportunities to work in criminal justice policy and reform.