The Atlanta Lawyer March 2014 | Page 33

section update The Public Interest Section and the Criminal Law Section Celebrated Public Defenders in the South By Jessica Felfoldi Staff Attorney at the Atlanta Legal Aid Society [email protected] O n January 16th, the Public Interest Law Section joined with the Criminal Law Section and the Emory Public Interest Committee to host a screening of Gideon’s Army at Emory Law School. This award-winning HBO documentary examines the sometimes overwhelming challenges faced by public defenders (accolades include a 2013 Sundance Film Festival award). The film primarily follows the journey of two public defenders from Georgia who receive support and training through Gideon’s Promise, formerly the Southern Public Defender Training Center. Both the film and the training corps are named for the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case of Gideon v. Wainwright, which held that state courts must provide an attorney to criminal defendants who could not otherwise afford one. The film takes an unflinching look at the many challenges facing public defenders: enormous caseloads; lack of funding The Official News Publication of the Atlanta Bar Association for basic investigation and routine office needs; low pay combined with student loans; and few viable alternatives for their clients to taking a plea deal. In one scene, a young public defender from Cobb County quickly transitions from elation to defeat as she realizes the alternative treatment program approved by the judge is financially out of reach for her client and his family. The film deftly brings the audience along for the emotional roller coaster of this line of work. It was well-received by our attendees and generated many questions for our panelists, Claudia Saari, Chief Public Defender at the Dekalb County Public Defender Office, and Ilham Askia, Executive Director and co-founder of Gideon’s Promise. We were also pleased to welcome special guest Jon Rapping, President and Founder of Gideon’s Promise. The Public Interest Law Section sends our warm thanks to all who made this event possible. March 2014 THE ATLANTA LAWYER 33