Tools for the defense and those 
interested in public defense

Access essential tools, guides, and information to empower legal professionals, support staff, and the community. For defense staff looking for more training tools, post-conviction resources, Racial Justice Act assistance or CARE Court resources, please join our share point. 

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Pro Per Packets

Here you will find information that allows people to start proceedings on their own, and that may help attorneys in representing clients on these issues.

People v. Heard: Resentencing for youth sentenced to long sentences

Pro Packet: Eligibility and Petitioning Juvenile Sentencing

Racial Justice Act Retroactivity: AB256

Pro Packet: The Racial Justice Act for All Act

Guides

California Standards for Contract and Panel Defense Systems

In February 2025, OSPD released California Standards for Contract and Panel Defense Systems, a set of statewide principles developed through an 18-month research and collaboration project beginning with a live event, California Indigent Defense Summit. These guidelines combine national best practices with input from panel, contract, and county leaders across California and are designed to ensure quality representation, strengthen accountability, and help counties align with constitutional and ethical obligations.   The implementation guide was concurrently released to provide county administrators and panel leaders with practical advice and best practices from across the country.  

Grant Opportunities

When we identify grant opportunities you will find them here.
You can learn about some prior California grant programs for indigent defense here: