The Santa Clara County Public Defender’s Office has received the
Gideon Leadership Award for Excellence from the National Legal Aid
and Defender Association (NLADA). The award was presented in
recognition of contributions to indigent defense management and
leadership, citing the Santa Clara County Public Defender’s Office
as a national model.
The Santa Clara County Public Defender’s Office has received the Gideon Leadership Award for Excellence from the National Legal Aid and Defender Association (NLADA). The award was presented in recognition of contributions to indigent defense management and leadership, citing the Santa Clara County Public Defender’s Office as a national model.
“The Santa Clara County Public Defender’s Office has a superior program,” said David Meyer, the project consultant who performed the assessment for the National Legal Aid and Defender Association.
“We evaluate and assess public defender programs around the nation,” Meyer said. “We concluded that the County of Santa Clara has one of the best programs. The program provides effective, highly efficient services and excellent outcomes for both individual clients and taxpayers. The Santa Clara County Public Defender’s Office serves as a benchmark and model for public defenders around that nation.”
The NLADA created the Gideon Award to recognize programs that deliver on the promise of Gideon v. Wainwright, a U.S. Supreme Court decision that established the right for people who are accused of crimes and cannot afford to hire a lawyer be provided with legal representation.
“The right to legal representation is a cornerstone of our democratic society,” said Santa Clara County Public Defender José R. Villarreal. “Building on this principle, we have created community initiatives to give many of our clients a second chance in achieving productive and fulfilling lives.”
The public defender collaborates with other law and justice agencies to develop and implement innovative, legally appropriate and cost-effective alternative punishment and rehabilitation options, as well as community-based initiatives. The NLADA cited the Public Defender’s initiatives and public policy planning as innovative for focusing on advocacy for a strong defense voice outside the courtroom in broader criminal justice circles.
The Santa Clara County Public Defender’s Office provides legal defense to indigent clients in Santa Clara County consistent with the mandates of the state and federal Constitutions and of the courts.
The National Legal Aid and Defender Association (NLADA) is a national, non-profit membership association dedicated to quality legal representation for people of insufficient means.
