The LSU Law Chapter of the American Constitution Society, in partnership with Public Interest Law Society, is collecting dress clothes for indigent defendants to wear to their court appearances.
The groups started the clothing drive to lessen the bias that potentially arises from appearing in court in a prison uniform. Many indigent defendants either do not have appropriate clothing for court or do not have access to their wardrobe while they are incarcerated, and the Baton Rouge Public Defender’s Office attempts to address this issue by keeping a closet of dress clothes for defendants to wear.
Starting Sept. 17 through Oct. 15, the student organizations will be collecting new and gently used dress clothes and courtroom attire (i.e. suit jackets, trousers, button-up shirts, women’s blouses, skirts, men’s dress shoes and belts) to donate to the Public Defender’s Office.
Donations can be delivered to the PILS office on the first floor by the Career Services Office. Racks and boxes have been placed in the hallway for easy dropoff. If you are unable to deliver, please email McKenzie LeMaire at mlemai3@lsu.edu to arrange for a pickup of your donations.
