Defense Systems Trying to Provide That Right
State and Local Governments Trying to Fund That Right
The Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments require states to make sure that every indigent person receives effective representation. Yet across America, poor people are often given no attorney at all (actual denial of counsel) or an attorney who carries too many cases, has conflicts of interest, is unqualified, or who can be hired and fired by the judge (constructive denial of counsel). A system that does not provide effective attorneys results in wrongful convictions, over-incarceration, and lengthy litigation—all at the expense of taxpayers, institutional trust, and the fair and efficient administration of justice.
Criminal justice issues that disproportionately harm poor people, such as wrongful convictions and over-incarceration, cannot be fixed if indigent defendants are given attorneys who do not have the time, resources, or qualifications, to be a constitutional check on government. Yet, investment in improving indigent defense services remains largely neglected. The Sixth Amendment Center is the only nonprofit organization in the country that exclusively examines, uncovers, and helps fix the root of the indigent defense crisis in which inequality is perpetuated because poor defendants do not get a fair fight.
The Sixth Amendment Center is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization under EIN: 45-3477185.
Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowable under the law.