Reading Room Document

Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia

The document is a review of a draft bill regarding the provision of legal counsel to indigent convicts seeking post-conviction relief. The conclusion reached is that there is currently no constitutional requirement for taxpayers to bear the expense of providing counsel in such cases, except in exceptional circumstances. The document also questions the authorization for the Public Defender Service to provide representation in "collateral proceedings," expressing concerns about the potential dissipation of resources and the need for staff expansion to provide more fundamental services.

June 19, 1969