Digital Evidence Management is Reshaping Public Defense—The RAND Study Shows Why It Matters

Have you ever felt like there aren’t enough hours in the day to review all the video, audio, and digital files in your cases? You’re not alone. Public defenders across the country are facing not only heavy caseloads but also an overwhelming flood of digital evidence.

From body-worn camera footage and dash cam recordings to 911 calls, smartphone data, and social media content, the ability to manage digital evidence efficiently is critical—not just for workflow, but for ensuring justice for every client.

Public defenders have a fundamental mission: to guarantee that every individual, regardless of income or background, receives a fair trial and competent legal representation. In today’s digital era however, fulfilling that mission depends on the ability to organize, analyze, and manage digital evidence effectively.

When public defenders can navigate digital evidence successfully, they can uncover critical facts, challenge inaccurate narratives, and provide timely, informed guidance. Without effective digital evidence workflows, even the most skilled attorneys risk delays, oversights, and weakened advocacy.

Insights from the RAND Study

The RAND National Public Defense Workload Study (2023) highlights the growing importance of digital evidence management in public defense, and the growing challenges as well:

Strategies to Improve Digital Evidence Management in Defense

Effectively managing digital evidence is not just about efficiency—it directly supports client advocacy. To address the above challenges, many public defender offices are now adopting digital evidence management solutions that incorporate:

By reducing the burden of these manual tasks, digital evidence management solutions enable public defenders to spend more time on case analysis, client consultation, and courtroom advocacy.

Why Digital Evidence Management Matters

Digital evidence is more than just files—it is often the backbone of the case. How it is managed directly affects the ability to uncover the truth, protect client rights, and present persuasive arguments in court.

The RAND study underscores the stakes: without effective digital evidence workflows, public defenders face delays, burnout, and reduced capacity to serve their clients. By adopting strong digital evidence management practices, defenders can:

At the end of the day, embracing digital evidence management isn’t about adopting new technology for its own sake—it’s about ensuring that every client receives a strong, timely defense.

Learn More

Interested in learning how digital evidence management can support your defense team? Contact us at PSInfo@nice.com to continue the conversation.