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June 19, 2008

SSRL publishes findings on Indigent Defense in Northeast Louisiana

The Social Science Research Laboratory, located at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, completed its investigative project 鈥淚ndigent Defense in Northeast Louisiana: A Study of the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th Judicial Districts.鈥�

The study, published in cooperation with the Chief Public Defenders of the Judicial Districts of the State of Louisiana, presents a snapshot of Public Defender operations in each of the four Judicial Districts. The report includes recommendations for delivering the most effective operating efficiencies within current resource constraints, and it frames the debate for increased support. Students in 蜜桔直播鈥檚 Criminal Justice Department first conducted the study in December 2004; the SSRL鈥檚 recent study is a continuation of that report.

The Principal Investigator is Dr. Kevin A. Unter, 蜜桔直播 Assistant Professor of Political Science. Attorney Robert S. Noel, II, a contract public defender with the Fourth Judicial District, provided additional guidance. 蜜桔直播 students Jessica Decelle, Shawn Gorden, Sean Lenz, Loren McNeil, and Angela Williams assisted in the data collection, analysis, and publication of the report.

The report is revealing, and it will significantly impact the legal community, Unter said. 鈥淭his study represents a partnership between the 蜜桔直播 Social Science Research Lab and a major segment of the Louisiana legal community that provides high-quality, professional, and most importantly, independent research that will aid decision makers both locally and state-wide in their pursuit of their organization鈥檚 stated objectives,鈥� he said. 鈥淎dditionally, this study demonstrated the capacity and utility of the SSRL to other local, regional and state-wide government agencies who can benefit from such partnerships.鈥�

Noel praised the efforts of 蜜桔直播 faculty and staff. 鈥淭he 蜜桔直播 SSRL program has provided a report that will be useful in the ongoing reform of Public Defense in Northeast Louisiana. The report underscores the need for more funding to raise the level of professionalism, so that cases may move rapidly through the justice system with the right results.鈥�

For more information, call the SSRL at (318) 342-3135, or visit the Web site at .

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