Florida Public Defender Association
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF FLORIDA PUBLIC DEFENDER ASSOCIATION, INC. IS TO SECURE AN EQUITABLE JUSTICE SYSTEM AND ENSURE HIGH QUALITY LEGAL REPRESENTATION FOR PEOPLE FACING LOSS OF LIBERTY.
- Income
- $399,589
- Spending
- $469,468
- Employees
- 1
- Volunteers
- 300
- Highest pay
- $180,800, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (4)
- LIFE OVER DEATH TRAINING PROGRAM WAS A CAPITAL DEATH PENALTY FOCUSED TRAINING DESIGNED FOR CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEYS, INCLUDING THE PRIVATE SECTOR THAT OFFERS CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION CREDITS APPROVED BY THE FLORIDA BAR. THE INCOME WAS $96,800. (172 ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDERS, INVESTIGATORS, AND MITIGATION SPECIALISTS, 58 REGIONAL COUNSEL ATTORNEYS, AND 45 PRIVATE ATTORNEYS ATTENDED).
- SUMMER TRAINING WAS DESIGNED FOR CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEYS AND DEFENSE TEAM OFFERING CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION APPROVED BY THE FLORIDA BAR. THERE ARE MULTIPLE PROGRAM TRACKS INCLUDING SPECIALIZED TRAINING TRACKS FOR JUVENILE ATTORNEYS, INVESTIGATORS, MITIGATION SPECIALISTS, SUPPORT STAFF & ADMINISTRATORS. THE TRAINING WAS ATTENDED BY PUBLIC DEFENDERS, ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDERS, OFFICE OF REGIONAL CRIMINAL & CIVIL CONFLICT COUNSEL CONFLICT [ORCCC] ATTORNEYS, AND PRIVATE ATTORNEYS. THE INCOME WAS $60,600 (APPROXIMATELY 264 PUBLIC DEFENDER EMPLOYEES, 8 ORCCC ATTORNEYS, AND 2 PRIVATE ATTORNEYS ATTENDED)
- WINTER TRAINING WAS DESIGNED FOR CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEYS ON ETHICS, TECHNOLOGY, LEGAL ISSUES, AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES. THE PROGRAM OFFERED CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION APPROVED BY THE FLORIDA BAR. THE TRAINING WAS ATTENDED BY PUBLIC DEFENDERS, ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDERS, OFFICE OF REGIONAL CRIMINAL & CIVIL CONFLICT COUNSEL CONFLICT [ORCCC] ATTORNEYS, AND PRIVATE ATTORNEYS. THE INCOME WAS $41,650 (119 ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDERS, 21 ORCCC ATTORNEYS, AND 1 PRIVATE ATTORNEY ATTENDED)
- SPRING/FALL DEFENDER COLLEGE IS AN INTENSIVE TRAINING PROGRAM FOR ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDERS WITH LESS THAN 18 MONTHS OF EXPERIENCE. IT BRIDGES THE GAP FROM LAW SCHOOL, PROVIDING IN-DEPTH ANSWERS TO FOUNDATIONAL QUESTIONS THROUGH A MIX OF LARGE GROUP LECTURES AND SMALL GROUP PRACTICE SESSIONS. EACH PARTICIPANT RECEIVES PREPARATORY MATERIALS AND IS EXPECTED TO ARRIVE EACH MORNING DRESSED FOR COURT, READY TO ENGAGE IN TRIAL EXERCISES. THE PROGRAM HOSTS 105 PARTICIPANTS, WITH SLOTS ALLOCATED PER CIRCUIT, AND INCLUDES 38 EXPERIENCED GROUP LEADERS WHO SERVE AS BOTH SPEAKERS AND MENTORS. LEADERS GUIDE SMALL GROUPS OF EIGHT PARTICIPANTS, OFFERING HANDS-ON FEEDBACK TO STRENGTHEN TRIAL SKILLS. THE INCOME WAS $17,310 FOR SPRING TRAINING AND $23,250 FOR THE FALL TRAINING. THE VOIR DIRE TRAINING IS AN EXCLUSIVE PROGRAM TAILORED FOR FELONY ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDERS WITH THREE OR MORE YEARS OF EXPERIENCE. THIS INTENSIVE TRAINING PROVIDES IN-DEPTH INSTRUCTION ON BEST PRACTICES IN VOIR DIRE, PRESERVATION ISSUES, AND CONSTITUTIONAL METHODS-ENSURING ATTORNEYS DEVELOP THE SKILLS NECESSARY TO CONDUCT EFFECTIVE JURY SELECTION. THE PROGRAM COMBINES LARGE GROUP LECTURE SESSIONS WITH SMALL GROUP PRACTICE WORKSHOPS, ALLOWING PARTICIPANTS TO IMMEDIATELY APPLY WHAT THEY LEARN IN A PERSONALIZED, HANDS-ON ENVIRONMENT. EACH ATTENDEE BRINGS THEIR OWN CASE TO WORKSHOP, ENSURING RELEVANT, REAL-WORLD APPLICATION. PARTICIPANTS ARE PLACED IN SMALL GROUPS OF UP TO SEVEN, EACH GUIDED BY TWO HIGHLY EXPERIENCED ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDERS WHO SERVE AS MENTORS AND COACHES. THESE GROUP LEADERS PROVIDE TARGETED FEEDBACK, INSIGHT, AND SUPPORT, HELPING ATTORNEYS REFINE THEIR VOIR DIRE TECHNIQUES AND STRENGTHEN THEIR TRIAL ADVOCACY SKILLS. THIS TRAINING IS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR FELONY ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDERS TO ENHANCE THEIR VOIR DIRE PROFICIENCY, SHARPEN THEIR STRATEGIC APPROACH, AND GAIN MENTORSHIP FROM SEASONED LITIGATORS-ALL WITHIN A COLLABORATIVE, HIGH IMPACT LEARNING ENVIRONMENT. THE INCOME WAS $17,650 (41 ATTENDANTS AND 15 GROUP LEADER/SPEAKERS. ONLY ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDERS WERE INVITED TO ATTEND AND SPEAK/TRAIN)
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(6) business league.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(6) business league as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 1981.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.