DE SCR120

Designates March 18, 2024, as "National Public Defense Day" in Delaware to commemorate the landmark 1963 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Gideon v. Wainwright.

Acknowledges that Gideon v. Wainwright established the Sixth Amendment right to counsel for criminal defendants who cannot afford an attorney, resulting in Clarence Earl Gideon's acquittal on retrial.

Recognizes Delaware's Office of Defense Services, established in 2015 to modernize the state's public defense system through an interdisciplinary team of lawyers and non-legal professionals.

Honors the Office of Defense Services for handling over 20,000 criminal matters annually and representing approximately 85% of justice-involved individuals in Delaware.

Commends the Office of Defense Services for advocating for criminal justice reforms while providing client-centered legal representation to indigent adults and all juveniles facing potential jail time in the state.