How Much Difference Does the Lawyer Make? The Effect of Defense Counsel on Murder Case Outcomes

This working paper describes the results of a study to examine the effect of defense counsel on outcomes in murder prosecutions in Philadelphia.It was funded by Award Number 2009-IJ-0013, awarded by the National Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs.The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice.The paper should be of particular interest to policymakers involved in indigent defense services and criminal justice system researchers interested in disparity in outcomes. The RAND Safety and Justice ProgramThis research was conducted in the Safety and Justice Program within RAND Infrastructure, Safety, and Environment (ISE).The mission of RAND Infrastructure, Safety, and Environment is to improve the development, operation, use, and protection of society's essential physical assets and natural resources and to enhance the related social assets of safety and security of individuals in transit and in their workplaces and communities.Safety and Justice Program research addresses all aspects of public safety and the criminal justice system-including violence, policing, corrections, courts and criminal law, substance abuse, occupational safety, and public integrity.