About

who we are

The Georgia Public Defense Foundation is dedicated to strengthening the foundation of justice by supporting the Georgia Public Defender Council (GPDC) in its mission. We are committed to the professional growth and development of public defenders, ensuring they are equipped to provide the highest quality of defense. Alongside, we champion community rehabilitation efforts, prominently featuring the Ladders Program, as part of our commitment to fostering positive change and resilience within our communities.

GPDC is tasked with overseeing Georgia’s indigent defense system for persons accused of crimes. For more information about the Council, please visit gapubdef.org.

our three pillars

  • GPDF is committed to ensuring that individuals who cannot afford legal representation receive high-quality, zealous, effective, and ethical defense. This commitment aligns with constitutional guarantees and is crucial in a justice system that often seems disproportionately against those with limited resources. Donations directly contribute to this effort by funding training and development programs for public defenders, thereby improving the overall quality of legal defense available to the indigent.

  • GPDF's approach involves a holistic model that considers the broader social, economic, and personal circumstances of our clients. This approach often requires additional resources, such as transportation support, food security, housing assistance and other essential services such as mental health support, educational opportunities, and employment assistance, all of which are integral to building a holistic defense strategy that goes beyond legal representation.

  • Initiatives like the Ladders Program, address the educational and socio-economic barriers faced by our clients. These programs are instrumental in helping individuals get back on track, live productive lives, and reduce recidivism. Funding the Ladders Program is essential to operate effectively and reach more people in need.

we are committed to breaking the harmful cycle of court involvement.

Executives & Board of Directors

Help us break the cycle.