HISTORY AND MISSION
On July 1, 2023, the Independent Defense Counsel’s Office (IDCO) was established under the auspices of the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office. The IDCO administers the contract for the private attorney bar panel of approximately 250 attorneys who provide legal representation to justice-involved individuals in adult criminal and delinquency proceedings throughout the trial courts of Los Angeles County pursuant to California Penal Code section 987.2, subdivision (e).
With a dedicated administrative team consisting of Regional Coordinating attorneys and support staff, the IDCO operates as an autonomous and ethically walled-off separate public law office from the Office of the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office consistent with existing case law and California State Bar guidelines.
The mission of the IDCO is to vigorously protect and defend the rights, liberties, and dignity of indigent clients for which the Public Defender and Alternate Public Defender are unable to do so due to conflicts of interest.