The Idaho State Appellate Public Defender’s Office (SAPD) was created in 1998 to provide skilled counsel to those convicted of crimes, and to do so in a fiscally responsible manner.  

Over the years, the SAPD has not only grown in size to meet its caseload needs, but it has matured as a law office. The SAPD currently has eight attorneys with 10+ years of criminal appellate experience, including four attorneys with 20+ years of criminal appellate experience. The SAPD employs some of the best, most experienced appellate and death penalty lawyers in the State of Idaho.

The SAPD’s appellate practice is regularly held up by judges and other lawyers as an example to be emulated.

For example, former Idaho Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Burdick once advised a defendant in a criminal case: “If you are going to appeal, I would suggest strongly that you allow the services of the State Appellate Public Defender. Some of the best appellate lawyers I ever had practice in front of me in my 18 years on the Idaho Supreme Court.” Sentencing Hearing Transcript, State v. Chadwick Martinez, Ada County No. CR01-21-37566 (Feb. 17, 2023).

Likewise, in a 2023 interview, when asked what advice she would give to an attorney preparing for his or her first appellate argument, Justice Robyn Brody of the Idaho Supreme Court said she would advise attorneys “to watch other oral arguments – particularly the State Appellate Public Defenders and the Deputies Attorney General who appear frequently before the appellate courts.  They really understand what appellate advocacy is and have a rhythm with the court. I think their arguments are very well done and would help any attorney navigate an appellate argument.” Sarah Tompkins, An Interview with Justice Robyn Brody, The Advocate (Mar. 2, 2023).

After successfully improving the standard of appellate practice for criminal defendants in Idaho, the SAPD served as a model for creation of a statewide trial-level public defense office. That office opened its doors in late 2024.

The SAPD is now proud to be involved in helping to develop the next generation of appellate lawyers. In 2025, it began partnering with the University of Idaho College of Law’s Appellate Clinic, whereby third-year law students gain critical practical experience working on SAPD cases under the close supervision of SAPD attorneys and law school faculty.