National Public Defense Virtual Conference 2021

This session will present some recent innovations in the use of data and data analytics to inform public defense.

Julie Ciccolini, of NACDL, will discuss innovations in tracking police misconduct for public defenders. The presentation will showcase an application designed by The Legal Aid Society in NY for defenders to track police misconduct data that is now being used by other defense organizations across the country. It will emphasize the important role defenders play in holding police accountable and provide tips for organizations on how to get started with their own database.

Stev Weidlich, of the King County Department of Public Defense (Seattle, WA), will discuss the various ways the department collects and visualizes data related to its various case areas. The presentation will show how the department currently uses data to help manage its processes, including data related to: prosecutor filings, attorney case assignments and caseloads, charges, indigency screening, support staff casework, trial rates, disposition rates, and other key performance indicators. The presentation aims to provide other departments with ideas on how they can use and present their own data to influence strategic direction and everyday management.