DE SCR11

Recognizes March 18, 2023 as National Public Defense Day, marking the 60th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's landmark Gideon v. Wainwright decision issued on March 18, 1963

Acknowledges the Gideon decision which established that criminal defendants are entitled to legal counsel under the Sixth Amendment, resulting in Clarence Earl Gideon's acquittal upon retrial

Recognizes Delaware's Office of Defense Services, established in 1964 as the Office of the Public Defender and modernized in 2015 through Senate Bill 47, which provides legal representation to indigent adults facing jail time and all juveniles in criminal and delinquency matters

Commends Office of Defense Services employees for fighting injustice and protecting constitutional rights of Delaware citizens, advocating for criminal justice reforms, and winning trials and appeals throughout the state