Today a class-action lawsuit was filed against Louisiana's officials who oversee the state's indigent defense services, alleging officials are denying poor people their constitutional right to counsel by failing to establish an effective statewide public defense system. The plaintiffs in the suit are represented by the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law; the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC); Davis, Polk & Wardwell LLP and Jones Walker LLP. Jones Walker would particularly like to thank NERA Economic Consulting for their pro bono support in this case. To read the lawsuit, please click here and to read the press release, please click here.