Federal Defender is a vital national program providing constitutionally mandated legal representation to individuals who cannot afford counsel in federal criminal cases. Operating through the Defender Services Office Training Division (DSOTD), it stands out as the primary federal resource for training, support, and resources for attorneys appointed under the Criminal Justice Act (CJA), ensuring high-quality defense across the United States.
The program offers comprehensive training events, webinars, and a wealth of legal materials specifically designed for federal CJA practitioners, including defenders, investigators, and mitigation specialists. It focuses on equipping legal professionals with cutting-edge strategies and knowledge in complex areas such as appellate advocacy, digital evidence, immigration consequences, and capital defense, emphasizing a client-centered and ethically rigorous approach to federal criminal defense.
Services Offered
- Federal criminal defense representation
- Training and continuing legal education (CLE) for CJA attorneys
- Appellate defense services
- Capital defense resources and support
- Immigration-related defense training and resources
- Litigation support and technology assistance
- Legal research and program materials access
- Hotline assistance for case consultation
- Supreme Court advocacy program
- Sentencing resource counsel and guidance
- Investigator and paralegal training
- Ethics and wellness resources for defenders
- Access to criminal defense topics and primers
- CJA forms and voucher assistance
Federal Defender services are available to eligible individuals nationwide, with support extended to all federal judicial circuits and districts. The program offers resources in areas critical to modern defense practice, including digital evidence challenges and immigration law intersections, and maintains partnerships with organizations like the National Immigrant Justice Center to enhance defender capabilities.
