Holistic Defender Services

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Public defender offices originally viewed themselves as limited strictly to representing indigent defendants in criminal cases. However, starting in 2000s several public defender offices in the United States began to reconsider their role in the criminal justie system. They began to concern themselves with ex-offender re-entry and collateral consequences of entry into the criminal justice system. The goal was to prevent crime before it happened and diminish the damage done when crime does occur.

Under the holistic approach the office may treat all aspects of a client's case: both the criminal case and civil consequences as well as drug addiction, mental illness and even family law matters.

In 2009, the Bronx Defenders[1] launched the Center for Holistic Defender[2]. The Center defines holistic defense as:

A client-centered and interdisciplinary model of public defense that addresses the circumstances driving poor people into the criminal justice system and the consequences of that involvement by offering criminal and civil legal representation, social work support, and advoacacy in the client community.


See Public Defender and Legal Aid Systems

Notes