What percentage of cases do public defenders win?
Public defenders have achieved a win rate of 35% in cases spanning from the 2019-20 through the 2022-23 period. This marks a significant improvement compared to their earlier success rates.
For a considerable duration, from the 2008-09 to the 2018-19 period, public defenders had a win rate of 18%. This recent jump to 35% represents a near doubling of their success in court outcomes for their clients.
Trends in Defense Attorney Success Rates
The effectiveness of legal representation, particularly for public defenders, has shown notable progression over the past decade. While the success rate for other defense attorneys saw a modest increase during comparable periods, public defenders demonstrated a far more dramatic improvement in their case outcomes.
Here's a comparison of success rates for different types of defense attorneys across two distinct periods:
| Attorney Type | 2008-09 through 2018-19 Success Rate | 2019-20 through 2022-23 Success Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Public Defenders | 18% | 35% |
| Other Defense Attorneys | 12% | 13% |
This data indicates that public defenders have substantially enhanced their outcomes for clients in recent years, showing a significant upward trend that outpaces the rate of improvement seen in other defense attorneys. The "win rate" or "success rate" in this context refers to favorable outcomes for the defendant, which can include outright acquittals, case dismissals, or other resolutions deemed successful.
