A unique perspective is gained through the use of informative interviews with public defenders working in Denver, Colorado. Originally conducted in 1980-1981, the study is being published after the expiration of an agreed upon five-year moratorium. Results suggest that public defenders perceive themselves as competent and dedicated attorneys who vigorously defend their clients. Defenders viewed their failures as stemming from their lack of resources, the types and number of cases which they must handle, their difficulties with clients, and the bureaucratic restraints within which they must work. Defenders did not leave the public defender system to become prosecutors. Instead, they left because they were worn down by a system which demanded representation of too many cases and provided too few resources. (Author abstract modified)