COVID-19 Resources

On Thursday, April 9, 2020, at 1:00 p.m., Public Defender Services sp​onsored a conference on "Representing your Detained Client during a Pandemic."  ​The coronavirus epidemic has created challenges for attorneys representing detained clients.  Professional and ethical obligations compel defense counsel to consider their clients' circumstances to determine if release might be possible in these extenuating circumstances - exacerbated by the overcrowding in the correctional facilities. The webinar outlines circumstances warranting action on behalf of your client, a plan of action, and reso​urces available for your use. Please find the following materials for reference:

• COVID-19 poses a significant risk to individuals currently in regional jails, the majority of which are there pre-trial for low-level, non-violent charges. The 13th PDC (Kanawha County) has prepared a sample motion concerning COVID-19. "​As we all know, the lack of proper sanitation, close quarters, and limited medical capacity put our clients at a greater risk of infection than the general public. Therefore, we are attempting to get currently incarcerated clients released and prevent further unnecessary incarcerations." Click here to download the motion and thank you to the 13th PDC (and specifically Sara Whittaker) for preparing this resource.
  
• ONLINE COURT CHECKLIST​

• PDS Blog - Lawyer Resources in the Time of COVID
• National Association for Public Defense - COVID-19 Resource Page
• National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers - COVID-19 Resource Page​