 CPDA Committees
Are you interested in getting involved with the California Public Defenders Association? Joining a committee is a great way to engage with our work, meet attorneys and advocates from around the state, and contribute to our mission of fighting systemic injustice and empowering all defenders to provide excellent advocacy for every case, every client, and every community
| Amicus Committee |
Members of the amicus committee provide excellent and inspired amicus support in criminal cases across the state that present issues important to our clients. |
| Awards Committee |
The Awards Committee recognizes exemplary work of outstanding persons or programs that best embody the mission of indigent practice in the categories of The Defender of the Year, The Defender Program of the Year Award, The Gideon Award, The Rose Elizabeth Bird Award, The Champion of Justice Award, and, as appropriate, Special Recognition Award(s). |
| Diversity Committee |
The Diversity Committee works to foster a legal community that embraces and celebrates diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Through educational initiatives and collaborative efforts, our committee aims to create an environment where all individuals can access zealous and effective representation within the criminal legal system, regardless of their background. By promoting cultural sensitivity, advocating for equal opportunities, and providing resources that encourage dialogue, training, and understanding, we strive to ensure that every person's voice is heard and respected while actively working towards a more just and equitable legal landscape for both public defender practitioners and the communities they serve. |
| Immigration Committee |
The Immigration Committee focuses on the intersections between criminal and immigration law and works to improve the level of representation of noncitizens in the state criminal and immigration court systems through training, legislative advocacy, and state and federal litigation. |
| Legislative Committee |
The Legislative Committee works with other stakeholders to promote criminal justice reform by sponsoring, supporting, and opposing legislation. As part of our mission, we also strive to obtain funding for public defender offices and other indigent defense providers. |
| Mental Health and Civil Commitment Committee |
This committee supports indigent defenders who represent clients suffering from mental illness and/or developmental disabilities in criminal and civil commitment proceedings through training, data collection, and legislative reform. |
| Racial Justice Committee |
The RJC expands upon the organizing work being done by racial justice committees in individual public defender offices across California, through external advocacy to confront systemic racism and implicit bias in the criminal legal system and through providing support and training to promote statewide implementation of the California Racial Justice Act. |
| Training Committee |
The Training Committee organizes and curates seminars on topics of importance to our members featuring a diverse group of highly qualified speakers. |
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