I strongly support and commend Gov. Landry’s efforts to address the crisis of violent crime in Louisiana. However, I respectfully suggest that one proposal is ill-advised and does nothing to advance that goal. Senate Bill 8 seeks to “create the office of the state public defender within the office of the governor for the delivery of indigent defense services.” My interest stems from the fact that roughly half of my current law practice is comprised of work I do at the Caddo Public Defender Office. In that capacity, I have witnessed firsthand what is required to manage a public defender office in one of our state’s largest parishes. My concern is twofold.