The Republican-led KY Senate and House have overrode Democratic Gov. Beshear's veto of HB 568, which merges the Louisville Public Defenders' corporation with the state.

The corporation's leadership supports the merger while its attorney union opposes it.

The United States incarcerates more people *just pretrial on bail they can’t afford* than India incarcerates total.

This system will never be just, it will never be fair, unless people realize the importance of funding public defenders. The one agency built to fight systemic racism, mass incarceration, corrupt cops, & prosecutors has always been underfunded. It is by design! #FundPublicDefense

Happy National Public Defense Day!

March 18 marks the 60th anniversary of Gideon v. Wainwright, celebrating the U.S. Supreme Court 9–0 ruling that states are required to provide an attorney for indigent people charged with a felony. #Gideon @60

We'd like to wish all public defenders a happy Public Defender's Day! On March 18th, 1963 (60 years ago today), the Supreme Court ruled in Gideon v. Wainwright that an attorney was a necessity for a fair trial. Thank you public defenders!

Today marks the 60th Anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision, Gideon v. Wainwright. Clarence Earl Gideon advocated for his constitutional rights and impacted our criminal legal system for many years to come.

Happy Gideon Day! It has been 60 years since Gideon v. Wainwright guaranteed a right to counsel for those who could not afford one. Shoutout to all of those in the public defender community and all the work you do for your clients! #publicdefenseday

The Louisville challenged election hearing is in one week--here's how you can support us!

HB 568 passed the Kentucky House yesterday. The ramifications of this bill for our office, our colleagues, the state budget, and our client representation cannot be stressed enough. If you have time today, call your State Senator and tell them to vote NO on HB 568.

Public defenders are among the closest to the people and communities harmed by mass incarceration. On the occasion of the sixtieth anniversary of Gideon v. Wainwright, we're launching a series examining their role in how to get out of the current crisis. inquest.org/beyond-gideon/

House Bill 568 was not heard or voted on yesterday, but is on today's schedule.

We stand in solidarity with the public defenders in NYC. So many of the struggles facing PDs in this article are align with our own. We hope New York can see that funding is desperately needed for a better legal system for all.