Bill > HR143

This resolution recognizes March 18, 2025, as "Public Defender Day" in Pennsylvania, commemorating the 62nd anniversary of the landmark United States Supreme Court decision in Gideon v. Wainwright. The resolution highlights the critical role of public defenders in ensuring fair trials and protecting individual rights, noting that the 1963 Supreme Court ruling guaranteed the right to legal counsel for individuals who cannot afford an attorney under the Sixth Amendment. The document emphasizes the historical contributions of Clara Shortridge Foltz, who first proposed the concept of public defense in 1893, and underscores the challenges faced by public defenders, including Pennsylvania's low ranking (45th) in indigent defense funding. The resolution acknowledges that public defenders are essential to the legal system, fighting to protect the liberty of vulnerable individuals and ensuring that innocent people are not wrongly imprisoned. By designating this specific date as "Public Defender Day," the resolution aims to honor the hard and selfless work of public defenders across the Commonwealth and draw attention to the need for adequate resources and support for these critical legal professionals.

Justice

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=R&bn=143