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Abstract
Public defenders are frontline workers defending the poor accused of crimes. Surprisingly, little research has focused on solutions for improving stress among these lawyers who are essential to effectuating the due process of law. This study employs a thematic analysis of public defenders’ responses to open-ended questions concerning their lived experiences, motivations, and challenges, and their proposed solutions for improving their work-life balance and the criminal legal system. This preliminary study finds that public defenders are engaged and intrinsically motivated professionals who confront unyielding job demands and challenges. Respondents’ proposed solutions are connected to their intrinsic motives and work engagement and address organizational and structural obstacles that lead to burnout or resignation. Two overarching and connected themes emerged for improving their work-life and the criminal legal system. The first concerns organizational improvements (support and flexibility in their work lives), and the second involves systemic changes (increased resources, reduced workloads, and fairer treatment of defendants). The connections between this study, prior research, and directions for future study are discussed.
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