Services Currently Provided by the Georgia Public Defender Standards Council

Appellate Office
Compliance
Georgia Capital Defenders
Government and Fiscal Affairs
Juvenile Advocacy
Office of the Mental Health Advocate
Training

The Appellate Advocacy and Legal Research Division provides direct representation to clients on appeal when the Circuit Public Defenders have a conflict. Additionally the Division has primary responsibility for appellate litigation, both adult and juvenile, and legal research throughout the state. We assist public defenders and conflict defenders in our circuits with all stages of litigation--from case planning to research to brief-writing-- and serve as a reference source for defense counsel with substantive or procedural questions.

We do not offer any representation in civil, habeas corpus, or federal cases.

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Compliance
The Compliance Division is responsible for ensuring that all individuals participating in the delivery of indigent defense services in Georgia provide the highest quality of representation to our clientele. The Division has primary responsibility to set and enforce standards, to ensure that the standards are uniform across the state, and to maintain accountability of those persons entrusted with the life and liberty of poor persons charged with crimes.

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Georgia Capital Defenders
As of January 1, 2005, the Office of the Georgia Capital Defender undertakes all indigent death penalty cases in Georgia unless there is a conflict.

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Governmental and Fiscal Affairs
The Governmental Affairs staff serves as the liaison between the Standards Council and the legislature, other judicial and executive agencies, and local governing authorities. It seeks legislative changes recommended by the Standards Council as well as funding and resources for the Standards Council. This office also manages personnel contracts with 39 of the 49 judicial circuits, and is responsible for the fiscal management of the 43 public defender offices, 10 conflict offices, Georgia Capital Defenders, the Office of the Mental Health Advocate and the GPDSC central office.

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Juvenile Advocacy
GPDSC is dedicated to improving the juvenile justice system through education, legislative efforts and community involvement.

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Office of the Mental Health Advocate
The Office of the Mental Health Advocate (OMHA) was created by statute in 1996. OMHA provides consulting services to attorneys representing clients with mental health problems in three specific areas: direct representation to defendants found not guilty by reason of insanity, organizing training seminars, and providing materials for attorneys, judges and mental health professionals dealing with this area of the law.

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Training
The Training Division designs and implements training programs for GPDSC staff throughout the state. The Division also works with Circuit Public Defenders to assist in recruiting the highest quality of applicants to our public defender offices.

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