LPDB Trial Court Performance Standards For CINC Representation
The Louisiana Public Defender Board Trial Court Performance Standards for Attorneys Representing Parents in Child in Need of Case and Termination of Parental Rights Cases are intended to encourage public defenders, assistant public defenders and appointed counsel to perform to a high standard of representation and to promote professionalism in the representation of indigent defendants.
The standards are intended to alert defense counsel to courses of action that may be necessary, advisable, or appropriate, and thereby to assist attorneys in deciding upon the particular actions that must be taken in each case to ensure that the client receives the best representation possible. The standards are also intended to provide a measure by which the performance of individual attorneys and district public defender offices may be evaluated, and to assist in training and supervising attorneys.
The language of these standards is general, implying flexibility of action which is appropriate to the situation. Use of judgment in deciding upon a particular course of action is reflected by the phrases "should consider" and "where appropriate." In those instances where a particular action is absolutely essential to providing quality representation, the standards use the words "should" or "shall." Even where the standards use the words "should" or "shall," in certain situations the lawyers' best-informed professional judgment and discretion may indicate otherwise.
The standards were approved by the Louisiana Public Defender Board and were promulgated by the Office of the Governor, as required by the Administrative Procedures Act, in January 2011.
To read the LPDB Trial Court Performance Standards for Attorneys Representing Parents in Child in Need of Care and Termination of Parental Rights Cases, click HERE
Upcoming Training
For more information, contact:LPDB Training Division at
ijoe@lpdb.la.gov
May 23-24, 2013
TBA (all day trainings)
Tulane University Law School
Room TBA
New Orleans, LA
In light of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Miller v. Alabama, Louisiana’s mandatory life without parole sentences for juveniles convicted of first- or second-degree murder are unconstitutional. Under Miller, juveniles convicted of homicide are entitled to individualized sentencing hearings that take into account the child’s individual character, life circumstances, and other mitigating factors, including age, as well as the circumstances of the crime. To assist defense attorneys in preparing for these hearings, the Juvenile Justice Project of Louisiana and the Louisiana Public Defender Board are hosting a ‘Miller v. Alabama Sentencing and Resentencing’ training in Louisiana on May 23 & 24, 2013 at Tulane University Law School.
July 15-16, 2013
TBA (all day trainings)
Location TBA
Baton Rouge, LA
This two-day training will focus on investigating misdemeanor or felony cases involving military veterans. Participants will learn about the traumas associated with military service and the proper techniques for obtaining military records and additional information for a veteran client or complaining witness. Participants will also receive training on ethics and professionalism as well as advanced techniques for interviewing and taking witness statements. Advanced registration will be required. Training is limited to investigators who are employed by or contract with a public defender office or LPDB program.