Clara Foltz and the Birth of Public Defense

Clara Foltz, a trailblazing lawyer in the 19th century, recognized the critical need for legal representation for defendants who could not afford a lawyer. She advocated for the establishment of public defenders alongside public prosecutors, arguing that a trial without adequate defense was fundamentally unjust. Despite initial resistance and skepticism from the public and the media, Foltz's ideas gained traction as she campaigned across the country, drafting model legislation to create public defender offices. Her efforts laid the groundwork for the modern public defense system in the U.S., highlighting the intrinsic link between access to legal representation and fair trials.