On Monday, June 16, 2025, at a meeting of the Louisiana Public Defender Oversight Board, claims of discrimination based on race and gender were levied against the State Public Defender, Rémy Voisin Starns. These claims are without merit. The State Public Defender has contracted with a greater proportion of female and minority district defenders than any other State Public Defender. He has also hired more minorities to work in the state office.
Prior to Mr. Starns’ tenure as State Public Defender, 75% of all District Defenders had been White men. Mr. Starns has selected as many Black women to serve in that role in five years as had been selected in the previous twelve years since the passage of the Louisiana Public Defender Act.
Additionally, Mr. Starns has personally hired minorities and women to fill the most integral positions within the state office. As only five members of the office’s staff of 15 preceded Starns’ tenure as State Public Defender, the current makeup of the office demonstrates Rémy Starns’ commitment to hiring the best person for the job.
It is unfortunate that these baseless claims must be addressed, taking the attention and focus away from the mission and vision of the Office of the State Public Defender. However, it is imperative that the office make an official statement and affirm the State Public Defender’s commitment to providing dedicated, well-trained, and talented public defenders to represent the 146,000 indigent people accused of crimes in Louisiana each year, irrespective of race or gender.