Public Defender Honors Program Q & A

Here is our list of the most frequently asked questions in regard to the Honors Program. If your question is not answered below, or you need further elaboration, please contact our office.

Question: “Is the Honors Program a hiring program or a training program?”

Answer: The Honors Program was designed both to recruit and train the highest quality public defenders in Georgia and nationwide. Applicants who apply to the Honors Program should be committed to indigent defense work and have a willingness to work in any circuit in Georgia, unless they have also applied separately to work in a particular circuit and have been offered a position (see q & a # 2). Members of the Central Office training staff will work closely with Circuit Public Defenders who have attorney vacancies in their circuits and who request applications from individuals who have applied to the Honors Program. Attorneys who are selected to participate in the program, and who are offered a staff attorney position in a circuit, are expected to make a three-year commitment to being a public defender. In exchange for that commitment, Honors Program attorneys will receive ongoing training and support throughout the three-year period, beginning with a three-week training in August 2006. Training will focus on developing trial advocacy skills, knowledge of substantive legal issues, and a client-centered approach to legal representation.

Question: “I have particular circuits I’m interested in working for. Can I apply to the Honors Program and indicate my preferences?”

Answer: The Honors Program was designed to recruit applicants available for placement in any office in Georgia. Circuits outside the metropolitan Atlanta area, and those circuits in rural areas, have a critical need to attract and retain committed, high quality public defenders. If an individual has an interest in working only in particular circuits, that individual should apply directly to those circuits. The individual may also apply to the Honors Program, and, if accepted, may participate with the permission of the Circuit Public Defender for whom they will be working.

Question: “I am only interested in working in metro Atlanta. Is it possible to be placed there?”

Answer: Please see q & a # 2 above. Applicants should note that the metropolitan Atlanta public defender offices do not typically rely on the Honors Program to recruit applications for attorney vacancies. Those circuits independently receive a higher volume of applications. It is possible to participate in the Honors Program if you are hired by one of these circuits; however, it will be necessary to apply directly to those offices, as well as to the Honors Program. If an individual is offered a job in one of these circuits, as well as a spot in the Honors Program, it will be necessary to obtain the permission of the Circuit Public Defender for whom they will be working in order to participate in the Honors Program.

Question: “Do I have to be a member of the Georgia Bar or be registered to take the next available Bar Examination in order to be considered for the Honors Program?”

Answer: While most applicants to the Honors Program will be new graduates, and will not yet have taken the Georgia Bar Exam, all applicants should be registered to take the next available exam offered in Georgia. For December graduates, this would be the February exam; for May graduates, this would be the July exam.

Question: “How many applicants will you accept each year?”

Answer: The number of applicants accepted to participate in the Honors Program will vary from year to year and may depend on the number of attorney positions available in local public defender offices. Because the trainings designed for Honors Program participants will be intensive, with emphasis on a low student to faculty ratio, each class will remain relatively small.

Question: “What GPA do you require for acceptance to the Honors Program?”

Answer: There is no GPA requirement for acceptance to the Honors Program. In reviewing applications, emphasis will be placed on a demonstrated commitment to serving indigent clients and a passion for a career as a public defender.

Question: “Will I be hired by the GPDSC Central Office or by an individual Circuit?”

Answer: Application to the Honors Program is made to the Georgia Public Standards Council Central Office. Members of the training staff review applications and make admission decisions. As Circuit Public Defenders make the Training Division aware of attorney vacancies within their circuits, and request applications, the training staff will provide circuits information on potential hires from among Honors Program applications. Hiring for attorney vacancies is ultimately the responsibility of individual Circuit Public Defenders, dependent upon the needs and preferences of local offices.

Question: “Is there a preference for individuals who have worked in Georgia?”

Answer: Applications will be reviewed in light of an individual’s demonstrated commitment to serving indigent citizens charged with crimes. Applicants need not have previous work experience in Georgia.

Question: “Is it possible to defer admission to the Honors Program?”

Answer: It is not possible to defer admission to the Honors Program since all individuals accepted to participate will be expected to work in a local Circuit Public Defender Office following the initial three week training program that ends in mid-September.

If you have further questions you may contact Allison Manning at 404-232-8900 or amanning@gpdsc.org

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