11th Annual Knoxville Stand Down Assists Veterans
The Stand Down provided a variety of services such as dental, vision, medical, and the opportunity to meet with the Knox County City and General Sessions Court. Meeting with the Knox County City and General Sessions Court assisted Veterans with getting outstanding legal charges and accompanying fines and court charges addressed. The CLO was proud to participate. Read more at the United States Department of Veterans Affairs website.
2011 Book Drive
The 2011 Book Drive has concluded. Thanks to our many donors, the office was able to donate over 1,000 books to the Knox County Sheriff's Detention Facility inmate library.
Mark Stephens Receives Stephen Bright Award
On July 30, 2011 The Southern Public Defenders Training Center awarded Mark Stephens the Stephen Bright Award for his contributions to indigent defense.
Former Chief Justice Calls for PD Offices to Model After CLO
In an op-ed piece to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, former Chief Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court, Leah Ward Sears, joined in the call to reform Georgia's "tough criminal sentences and costly prison system."
National Crisis, National Neglect
There is no greater civil rights issue in America, Jon Rapping writes, than what is happening to our most vulnerable citizens in our criminal justice system.
Stephens Joins ACCD Executive Committee
Knox County District Public Defender Mark Stephens has been invited to serve on the executive committee of the American Council of Chief Defenders (ACCD).
Tennessee's Indigent Defense Fund
Under the direction of the Tennessee legislature, the Administrative Office of the Courts has undertaken a study of the rising costs of indigent defense.
Read the report
Justice Denied
"Justice Denied" convincingly demonstrates that despite the fact that funding for indigent defense has increased during the past 45 years since the Gideon decision, there is uncontroverted evidence that funding still remains woefully inadequate and is deteriorating in the current economic difficulties that confront the nation.
The Changing Role of Criminal Defense Lawyers
The American Bar Association appointed Knox County Public Defender Mark Stephens to the national task force established to help criminal defense lawyers understand and meet new responsibilities to clients stemming from the Supreme Court's March decision in Padilla v. Kentucky.
Indefensible
"Five decades after a landmark Supreme Court case establishing the right to a public-defense lawyer, the poor still lack adequate legal representation." -Vanessa Gregory, The American Prospect
Read the article
Christmas for Kids
Each year, the CLO hosts a Christmas party for children. Volunteers serve turkey dinner and Santa brings gifts of toys and clothing.
20th Anniversary
The CLO celebrated 20 years of service to Knoxville’s indigent accused and the wider community with a gala held on August 31st at the Foundry.
Feria Latina
Feria Latina offers legal education workshops on various issues in Spanish, including immigration, criminal defense, family law, and debt management.