Holistic defense began in the 1990s as a new way to represent low-income clients. Unlike traditional public defense, which focuses only on the criminal case, holistic defense also addresses the broader impacts of criminal charges—like losing a job, housing, or child custody—and the personal issues that may have led to the arrest, such as addiction or mental illness. It involves a team of professionals, including lawyers, holistic defense advocates, and case managers, who work together to support the client fully.
