Data were obtained on defense representation and felony dispositions in nine courts to assess how frequently indigent defenders obtained favorable outcomes for their clients. It was found indigent defenders were generally as successful as privately retained counsel. Conviction, charge reduction, and incarceration rates for clients were similar to outcomes associated with privately retained counsel. Findings are described for specific court systems in Michigan, Washington, Colorado, Virginia, California, Maine, and Puerto Rico. Issues for future consideration are noted that concern what aspects of indigent defenders are translatable into management information systems and what aspects warrant further research, lawyer-client relations and the time indigent defenders give to individual defendants, and the issue of satisfaction versus productive work. 34 notes and 4 tables