The Constitution Project has released a comprehensive report on the U.S. system of representation for indigent defendants, “Justice Denied: America’s Continuing Neglect of Our Constitutional Right to Counsel.” The report finds deep flaws in the country’s public defense system and makes 22 recommendations for state and federal officials for reforming the system. Among the problems that this study identifies are excessive caseloads for indigent defense systems, inadequate funding, ethical breaches, politicalization of the public defender system, and lack of timely appointment of counsel, and sometimes no appointment at all. The full report may be found here .

(The Constitution Project, “Justice Denied, America’s Continuing Neglect of Our Constitutional Right to Counsel,” April 14, 2009). See Studies and Representation. The Constitution Project is a D.C. based non-profit that seeks consensus solutions to difficult legal and constitutional issues. It does so through constructive dialogue across ideological and partisan lines, and through scholarship, activism, and public education efforts.