Utilizing e-discovery and advanced analytics on new data repositories like social media is becoming the norm in Big Law and large corporate legal departments handling civil matters. But this isn’t so much the case in public defenders’ offices, many of which are usually outmatched by prosecutors’ access to digital forensics software while a client’s freedom hangs in the balance.
“I know most offices are just not capable of purchasing the software or hiring experts,” said New York State Defenders Association executive director Susan Bryant. “It puts clients at a disadvantage when they are facing a loss of liberty and criminal charges.”
