Today marks the 56th anniversary of Gideon v. Wainwright, the landmark case in U.S. Supreme Court in which the Court unanimously declared that indigent defendants have a constitutional right to a court-appointed lawyer. On this day, we should pause. Let us remember the people we serve. Let us celebrate the right to legal representation for the poor and society’s most vulnerable.

Today is also the start of National Public Defense Week, which highlights the crucial, excellent and diligent work of LA County Public Defender professionals and all public defenders who on a daily basis pursue justice for everyone.

Read more of LA County Public Defender Ricardo García’s thoughts on Gideon Day in today’s op-ed in the Los Angeles Times.