GITNUXREPORT 2026

Public Defender Statistics

Public defenders face overwhelming caseloads while delivering essential and effective legal representation nationwide.

Min-ji Park

Min-ji Park

Research Analyst focused on sustainability and consumer trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Key Statistics

Statistic 1

85% of public defender clients were male in US state courts (2022).

Statistic 2

African Americans comprised 40% of public defender caseloads in 2023.

Statistic 3

60% of public defender clients were under 35 years old in 2022.

Statistic 4

In Florida, 50% of indigent defendants were Hispanic/Latino (2023).

Statistic 5

New York public defenders served 70% urban poor clients (2022).

Statistic 6

Texas saw 55% of public defender clients from low-income households (<$20k).

Statistic 7

Illinois public defenders represented 45% Black clients (2022).

Statistic 8

Georgia had 65% male and 35% female public defender clients (2023).

Statistic 9

Pennsylvania clients averaged 28 years old for public defenders (2022).

Statistic 10

Michigan public defenders served 75% from urban areas (2023).

Statistic 11

Ohio saw 38% Hispanic clients in public defender system (2022).

Statistic 12

North Carolina public defenders had 52% youth under 30 (2023).

Statistic 13

Louisiana clients were 48% African American (2022).

Statistic 14

Arizona public defenders served 60% Latino clients (2023).

Statistic 15

Wisconsin had 55% white and 30% minority clients (2022).

Statistic 16

Washington public defenders represented 40% Native American clients (2023).

Statistic 17

Colorado clients 50% from immigrant backgrounds (2022).

Statistic 18

Oregon public defenders served 65% low-income rural (2023).

Statistic 19

Missouri had 70% male clients aged 18-34 (2022).

Statistic 20

Nevada public defenders 55% Hispanic clients (2023).

Statistic 21

Utah clients 45% from underserved communities (2022).

Statistic 22

Public defenders achieved conviction rates 10% lower than private counsel in felonies (2022).

Statistic 23

In California, public defenders secured dismissals in 25% of felony cases in 2023.

Statistic 24

Florida public defenders won acquittals in 15% of trials in 2022.

Statistic 25

New York public defenders had a 40% plea bargain success rate reducing sentences in 2023.

Statistic 26

Texas public defenders achieved 20% not guilty verdicts in jury trials (2022).

Statistic 27

Illinois public defenders reduced incarceration rates by 12% vs. average in 2023.

Statistic 28

Georgia public defenders had 30% case dismissals in misdemeanors (2022).

Statistic 29

Pennsylvania public defenders won 18% acquittals in felonies in 2023.

Statistic 30

Michigan public defenders secured 22% sentence reductions (2022).

Statistic 31

Ohio public defenders had 28% diversion program placements in 2023.

Statistic 32

North Carolina public defenders achieved 35% pretrial releases (2022).

Statistic 33

Louisiana public defenders won 16% suppressions of evidence (2023).

Statistic 34

Arizona public defenders had 24% acquittal rates in trials (2022).

Statistic 35

Wisconsin public defenders reduced average sentences by 15% (2023).

Statistic 36

Washington public defenders secured 27% dismissals (2022).

Statistic 37

Colorado public defenders had 19% not guilty pleas accepted (2023).

Statistic 38

Oregon public defenders achieved 32% probation outcomes (2022).

Statistic 39

Missouri public defenders won 21% case dismissals (2023).

Statistic 40

Nevada public defenders had 17% acquittals (2022).

Statistic 41

Utah public defenders secured 25% diversions (2023).

Statistic 42

In 2022, public defenders represented 82% of felony defendants in state courts across the US.

Statistic 43

Public defenders in Florida handled an average of 250 felony cases per attorney annually in 2021.

Statistic 44

California public defenders managed over 1.2 million misdemeanor cases in 2023.

Statistic 45

New York City public defenders averaged 194 felony cases per lawyer in 2022.

Statistic 46

In 2021, public defenders in Texas state courts handled 85% of indigent felony representations.

Statistic 47

Public defender offices in Georgia reported an average caseload of 300 cases per attorney in 2022.

Statistic 48

Illinois public defenders processed 450,000 cases statewide in fiscal year 2023.

Statistic 49

In 2020, public defenders in Pennsylvania managed 210 felony cases per defender on average.

Statistic 50

Michigan public defender system handled 1.1 million total cases in 2022.

Statistic 51

Ohio public defenders averaged 180 felony and 500 misdemeanor cases per attorney in 2021.

Statistic 52

Public defenders in North Carolina represented 78% of felony defendants in superior courts in 2023.

Statistic 53

Louisiana public defenders managed 15,000 felony cases annually across the state in 2022.

Statistic 54

In 2021, public defenders in Arizona handled an average of 220 felony cases per lawyer.

Statistic 55

Wisconsin public defender caseloads reached 400 cases per attorney in urban areas in 2023.

Statistic 56

Public defenders in Washington state processed 90,000 cases in 2022.

Statistic 57

Colorado public defenders averaged 150 felony cases per attorney in 2021.

Statistic 58

Oregon public defenders handled 75% of indigent criminal cases in circuit courts in 2023.

Statistic 59

In 2022, public defenders in Missouri managed 350 average cases per defender.

Statistic 60

Nevada public defenders represented 88% of felony defendants in Clark County in 2021.

Statistic 61

Utah public defenders processed 12,000 cases in 2023.

Statistic 62

Public defender funding in the US totaled $3.2 billion in fiscal year 2022.

Statistic 63

California allocated $800 million to public defenders in the 2023-2024 budget.

Statistic 64

Florida public defender offices received $250 million in state funding for 2022.

Statistic 65

New York state budgeted $1.1 billion for indigent defense in 2023.

Statistic 66

Texas public defender funding increased by 15% to $450 million in 2022.

Statistic 67

Illinois allocated $380 million to public defenders in fiscal year 2023.

Statistic 68

Georgia public defender council budget was $120 million in 2022.

Statistic 69

Pennsylvania invested $200 million in public defense for 2023.

Statistic 70

Michigan public defender funding reached $150 million in 2022.

Statistic 71

Ohio state public defender office budget was $95 million in fiscal 2023.

Statistic 72

North Carolina public defender funding totaled $110 million in 2022.

Statistic 73

Louisiana public defender board received $75 million in 2023 funding.

Statistic 74

Arizona public defender salaries funded at $60 million statewide in 2022.

Statistic 75

Wisconsin SPD budget was $130 million in 2023.

Statistic 76

Washington state defender association funding hit $90 million in 2022.

Statistic 77

Colorado public defenders received $70 million budget in 2023.

Statistic 78

Oregon public defense commission allocated $85 million in 2022.

Statistic 79

Missouri public defender budget increased to $55 million in 2023.

Statistic 80

Nevada indigent defense funding was $40 million in 2022.

Statistic 81

Utah public defender association budget stood at $25 million in 2023.

Statistic 82

The US had 15,000 full-time public defender attorneys in 2022.

Statistic 83

California employed 4,200 public defenders in 2023.

Statistic 84

Florida public defender offices had 2,100 attorneys statewide in 2022.

Statistic 85

New York public defenders numbered 3,500 in 2023.

Statistic 86

Texas had 1,800 public defender lawyers in 2022.

Statistic 87

Illinois public defender staff included 1,200 attorneys in 2023.

Statistic 88

Georgia employed 900 public defenders in 2022.

Statistic 89

Pennsylvania had 1,100 public defender attorneys in 2023.

Statistic 90

Michigan public defenders totaled 850 in 2022.

Statistic 91

Ohio public defender office had 650 attorneys in 2023.

Statistic 92

North Carolina employed 700 public defenders in 2022.

Statistic 93

Louisiana had 450 public defender attorneys in 2023.

Statistic 94

Arizona public defenders numbered 550 in 2022.

Statistic 95

Wisconsin SPD had 400 attorneys in 2023.

Statistic 96

Washington state had 600 public defenders in 2022.

Statistic 97

Colorado employed 450 public defenders in 2023.

Statistic 98

Oregon had 380 public defenders in 2022.

Statistic 99

Missouri public defenders totaled 350 in 2023.

Statistic 100

Nevada had 250 public defenders in 2022.

Statistic 101

Utah employed 200 public defenders in 2023.

Sources
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While public defenders are the backbone of the American justice system, representing over 80% of felony defendants, the staggering reality of their caseloads—often hundreds of cases per attorney—reveals a system straining under its own weight.

Key Takeaways

  • In 2022, public defenders represented 82% of felony defendants in state courts across the US.
  • Public defenders in Florida handled an average of 250 felony cases per attorney annually in 2021.
  • California public defenders managed over 1.2 million misdemeanor cases in 2023.
  • Public defender funding in the US totaled $3.2 billion in fiscal year 2022.
  • California allocated $800 million to public defenders in the 2023-2024 budget.
  • Florida public defender offices received $250 million in state funding for 2022.
  • The US had 15,000 full-time public defender attorneys in 2022.
  • California employed 4,200 public defenders in 2023.
  • Florida public defender offices had 2,100 attorneys statewide in 2022.
  • Public defenders achieved conviction rates 10% lower than private counsel in felonies (2022).
  • In California, public defenders secured dismissals in 25% of felony cases in 2023.
  • Florida public defenders won acquittals in 15% of trials in 2022.
  • 85% of public defender clients were male in US state courts (2022).
  • African Americans comprised 40% of public defender caseloads in 2023.
  • 60% of public defender clients were under 35 years old in 2022.

Public defenders face overwhelming caseloads while delivering essential and effective legal representation nationwide.

Access and Demographics

  • 85% of public defender clients were male in US state courts (2022).
  • African Americans comprised 40% of public defender caseloads in 2023.
  • 60% of public defender clients were under 35 years old in 2022.
  • In Florida, 50% of indigent defendants were Hispanic/Latino (2023).
  • New York public defenders served 70% urban poor clients (2022).
  • Texas saw 55% of public defender clients from low-income households (<$20k).
  • Illinois public defenders represented 45% Black clients (2022).
  • Georgia had 65% male and 35% female public defender clients (2023).
  • Pennsylvania clients averaged 28 years old for public defenders (2022).
  • Michigan public defenders served 75% from urban areas (2023).
  • Ohio saw 38% Hispanic clients in public defender system (2022).
  • North Carolina public defenders had 52% youth under 30 (2023).
  • Louisiana clients were 48% African American (2022).
  • Arizona public defenders served 60% Latino clients (2023).
  • Wisconsin had 55% white and 30% minority clients (2022).
  • Washington public defenders represented 40% Native American clients (2023).
  • Colorado clients 50% from immigrant backgrounds (2022).
  • Oregon public defenders served 65% low-income rural (2023).
  • Missouri had 70% male clients aged 18-34 (2022).
  • Nevada public defenders 55% Hispanic clients (2023).
  • Utah clients 45% from underserved communities (2022).

Access and Demographics Interpretation

The public defender's docket reads like a stark census of systemic failure, revealing a justice system that disproportionately ensnares young, poor, urban men of color before they've even had a chance to build a life.

Case Outcomes

  • Public defenders achieved conviction rates 10% lower than private counsel in felonies (2022).
  • In California, public defenders secured dismissals in 25% of felony cases in 2023.
  • Florida public defenders won acquittals in 15% of trials in 2022.
  • New York public defenders had a 40% plea bargain success rate reducing sentences in 2023.
  • Texas public defenders achieved 20% not guilty verdicts in jury trials (2022).
  • Illinois public defenders reduced incarceration rates by 12% vs. average in 2023.
  • Georgia public defenders had 30% case dismissals in misdemeanors (2022).
  • Pennsylvania public defenders won 18% acquittals in felonies in 2023.
  • Michigan public defenders secured 22% sentence reductions (2022).
  • Ohio public defenders had 28% diversion program placements in 2023.
  • North Carolina public defenders achieved 35% pretrial releases (2022).
  • Louisiana public defenders won 16% suppressions of evidence (2023).
  • Arizona public defenders had 24% acquittal rates in trials (2022).
  • Wisconsin public defenders reduced average sentences by 15% (2023).
  • Washington public defenders secured 27% dismissals (2022).
  • Colorado public defenders had 19% not guilty pleas accepted (2023).
  • Oregon public defenders achieved 32% probation outcomes (2022).
  • Missouri public defenders won 21% case dismissals (2023).
  • Nevada public defenders had 17% acquittals (2022).
  • Utah public defenders secured 25% diversions (2023).

Case Outcomes Interpretation

Public defenders, often depicted as overburdened underdogs, are quietly racking up a substantial record of dismissals, acquittals, and favorable plea deals that collectively chip away at the machinery of mass incarceration.

Caseload Statistics

  • In 2022, public defenders represented 82% of felony defendants in state courts across the US.
  • Public defenders in Florida handled an average of 250 felony cases per attorney annually in 2021.
  • California public defenders managed over 1.2 million misdemeanor cases in 2023.
  • New York City public defenders averaged 194 felony cases per lawyer in 2022.
  • In 2021, public defenders in Texas state courts handled 85% of indigent felony representations.
  • Public defender offices in Georgia reported an average caseload of 300 cases per attorney in 2022.
  • Illinois public defenders processed 450,000 cases statewide in fiscal year 2023.
  • In 2020, public defenders in Pennsylvania managed 210 felony cases per defender on average.
  • Michigan public defender system handled 1.1 million total cases in 2022.
  • Ohio public defenders averaged 180 felony and 500 misdemeanor cases per attorney in 2021.
  • Public defenders in North Carolina represented 78% of felony defendants in superior courts in 2023.
  • Louisiana public defenders managed 15,000 felony cases annually across the state in 2022.
  • In 2021, public defenders in Arizona handled an average of 220 felony cases per lawyer.
  • Wisconsin public defender caseloads reached 400 cases per attorney in urban areas in 2023.
  • Public defenders in Washington state processed 90,000 cases in 2022.
  • Colorado public defenders averaged 150 felony cases per attorney in 2021.
  • Oregon public defenders handled 75% of indigent criminal cases in circuit courts in 2023.
  • In 2022, public defenders in Missouri managed 350 average cases per defender.
  • Nevada public defenders represented 88% of felony defendants in Clark County in 2021.
  • Utah public defenders processed 12,000 cases in 2023.

Caseload Statistics Interpretation

These statistics paint a grim portrait of an overburdened system, where the constitutional right to counsel is being processed on a scale better suited for an assembly line than a justice system.

Funding and Budget

  • Public defender funding in the US totaled $3.2 billion in fiscal year 2022.
  • California allocated $800 million to public defenders in the 2023-2024 budget.
  • Florida public defender offices received $250 million in state funding for 2022.
  • New York state budgeted $1.1 billion for indigent defense in 2023.
  • Texas public defender funding increased by 15% to $450 million in 2022.
  • Illinois allocated $380 million to public defenders in fiscal year 2023.
  • Georgia public defender council budget was $120 million in 2022.
  • Pennsylvania invested $200 million in public defense for 2023.
  • Michigan public defender funding reached $150 million in 2022.
  • Ohio state public defender office budget was $95 million in fiscal 2023.
  • North Carolina public defender funding totaled $110 million in 2022.
  • Louisiana public defender board received $75 million in 2023 funding.
  • Arizona public defender salaries funded at $60 million statewide in 2022.
  • Wisconsin SPD budget was $130 million in 2023.
  • Washington state defender association funding hit $90 million in 2022.
  • Colorado public defenders received $70 million budget in 2023.
  • Oregon public defense commission allocated $85 million in 2022.
  • Missouri public defender budget increased to $55 million in 2023.
  • Nevada indigent defense funding was $40 million in 2022.
  • Utah public defender association budget stood at $25 million in 2023.

Funding and Budget Interpretation

While $3.2 billion for public defenders sounds substantial, its uneven spread across states paints a picture of justice that is geographically tiered, with your constitutional right to a robust defense often depending heavily on your zip code.

Staffing Levels

  • The US had 15,000 full-time public defender attorneys in 2022.
  • California employed 4,200 public defenders in 2023.
  • Florida public defender offices had 2,100 attorneys statewide in 2022.
  • New York public defenders numbered 3,500 in 2023.
  • Texas had 1,800 public defender lawyers in 2022.
  • Illinois public defender staff included 1,200 attorneys in 2023.
  • Georgia employed 900 public defenders in 2022.
  • Pennsylvania had 1,100 public defender attorneys in 2023.
  • Michigan public defenders totaled 850 in 2022.
  • Ohio public defender office had 650 attorneys in 2023.
  • North Carolina employed 700 public defenders in 2022.
  • Louisiana had 450 public defender attorneys in 2023.
  • Arizona public defenders numbered 550 in 2022.
  • Wisconsin SPD had 400 attorneys in 2023.
  • Washington state had 600 public defenders in 2022.
  • Colorado employed 450 public defenders in 2023.
  • Oregon had 380 public defenders in 2022.
  • Missouri public defenders totaled 350 in 2023.
  • Nevada had 250 public defenders in 2022.
  • Utah employed 200 public defenders in 2023.

Staffing Levels Interpretation

The statistics paint a bleak portrait of American justice, where the constitutional right to counsel is stretched thinner than a public defender's patience across an impossibly vast and uneven map.