Welcome to the Indiana Commission on Court Appointed Attorneys Website!

Since 1989, the Indiana Commission on Court Appointed Attorneys (CCAA) has served to create standards for public defense services in Indiana Counties or Regional Systems that choose to uphold those standards in exchange for a partial reimbursement of county expenses in non-capital cases. The Commission also provides standards and partial reimbursement to all counties in capital (death penalty) cases and Federal Title 4-E Funding to ALL counties that request funding.

The Commission is an independent, judicial branch state agency of Indiana's state government.

There are three separate state agencies that provide support to Indiana's locally-based public defense services. The agencies and their primary duties are listed below.

News & Announcements:

"The Indiana Lawyer" Releases Podcast Regarding Misdemeanor Pilot Program

Click HERE to listen to a podcast where Indiana Lawyer Reporter Alexa Shrake interviews CCAA Executive Director, Derrick Mason, regarding the upcoming Misdemeanor Pilot Program.

White County Joins Commission

Effective September 18, the Commission has approved White County's new "Comprehensive Plan for Indigent Defense Services". This makes the county eligible for a reimbursement for 40% of most public defense expenses. 68 of Indiana's 92 Counties now participate in this voluntary reimbursement program. CLICK HERE to see if your county is participating. If it is not, CLICK HERE to view the steps to join.

Commission's Name Change Becomes Effective

Commission on Indiana's Legal Future Releases Interim Report, Seeks Feedback

The Commission on Indiana’s Legal Future has developed its interim report with recommendations to address Indiana's lawyer shortage. The report is now available online. The Indiana Supreme Court is reviewing the report, and at this juncture, the Court is seeking feedback from the public, bench, and Bar.

• The report may be found by clicking HERE.
• Feedback may be offered by clicking HERE.

Misdemeanor Reimbursement Pilot Program Set to Begin on July 1, 2025

The CCAA has not yet begun the process of selecting counties to participate in the Misdemeanor Reimbursement Pilot Program. Watch this space & our newsletters, and follow us on X to stay up to date.

• Click HERE to follow the CCAA on X.
• Click HERE to read details about the Misdemeanor Reimbursement Pilot Program in an article by Leslie Bonilla Muniz with the Indiana Capital Chronicle.

Indiana Attorney Disciplinary Commission Issues Advisory Opinion for Attorneys at Initial Hearings

The opinion, "Navigating Limited Representation at an Initial Hearing," addresses this question: "How may a public defender provide meaningful and efficient representation to multiple public defender clients at initial hearing while maintaining compliance with Indiana’s Rules of Professional Conduct?" All attorneys who represent indigent clients at initial hearings should carefully review the advisory opinion, which can be found by clicking HERE.

Remaining 2024 Reimbursement Request Due Dates & Commission Meeting Dates:

Commission meetings begin at 2 p.m. Eastern and comply with the Indiana Open Door Law (IC § 5-14-1.5). Meetings are held at the Commission Office (101 West Ohio Street, Suite 1800, Indianapolis, IN, 46204) unless otherwise stated on the meeting notice and agenda. The public is invited to attend in person or via electronic means permitted under IC § 5-14-1.5-3.6 excluding any Executive Sessions that may be scheduled as permitted under IC § 5-14-1.5-6.1. To view the Commission’s Electronic Meeting Policy, click here.