Welcome

The Office of the Federal Public Defender for the Middle and Western Districts of Louisiana provides legal defense for people charged with federal crimes who cannot afford to hire a lawyer. Our work is authorized by the Criminal Justice Act of 1964 (CJA), 18 U.S.C. § 3006A, and eligibility for our services is determined by the federal court.

Our attorneys are appointed by the court and represent clients at every stage of a federal criminal case. This may include representation at arrest, court hearings, trial, sentencing, and, when allowed by law, appeals and other post-conviction proceedings. Federal Public Defender attorneys do not engage in private law practice.

Our offices are located in Lafayette, Baton Rouge, and Shreveport, which allows us to serve clients throughout the Middle and Western Districts of Louisiana.

We take a client-centered approach to our work. We listen carefully to our clients, work as a team, and advocate for fair outcomes at every stage. This site is primarily intended to support Criminal Justice Act (CJA) panel attorneys and provides general information for defendants and families. The information here is not legal advice.