THE REPORT PRESENTS A LEGAL ANALYSIS OF THE ARGERSINGER DECISION; EXPLORES ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR THE LEGAL PROCESS, THE PROVISION OF DEFENSE SERVICES, AND THE ROLE OF THE CRIMINAL LAW; EXAMINES ITS IMPLEMENTATION IN NINE JURISDICTIONS OF VARYING SIZE AND CHARACTER; DEVELOPES SETS OF RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EFFECTUATING THE DECISION; AND TESTS SOME OF THESE RECOMMENDATIONS IN FOUR JURISDICTIONS. IT WAS FOUND THAT COMPLIANCE WITH THE DECISION HAS GENERALLY BEEN TOKEN IN NATURE: WAIVER OF COUNSEL IS OFTEN EXPLICITLY ENCOURAGED, INDIGENCY STANDS ARE INCONSISTENT AND INEQUITABLY APPLIED, AND APPOINTED COUNSEL ARE OFTEN INEXPERIENCED OR ILLPREPARED. THE PROJECT ALSO FOUND THAT LITTLE PLANNING HAD BEEN UNDERTAKEN TO MEET THE BURDENS IMPOSED BY THE DECISION. THE PROJECT STAFF CONCLUDES THAT THE SIXTH AMENDMENT TO THE U.S. CONSTITUTION PROVIDES THE RIGHT TO COUNSEL TO ALL CRIMINAL DEFENDANTS, WHETHER OR NOT THEY FACE IMPRISONMENT, AND THAT THE CASE SHOULD BE INTERPRETED ACCORDINGLY. THE REPORT RECOMMENDS, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE COURTS SHOULD NOT ATTEMPT TO PREDETERMINE WHICH INDIVIDUAL CASES OR CLASS OF CHARGES ARE LIKELY TYO RESULT IN IMPRISONMENT; THAT STEPS BE TAKEN TO INSURE THE PROVISION OF EFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL; THAT PUBLIC DEFENDER SYSTEMS BE IMPROVED THROUGH STAFF TRAINING, HIGHER STAFF STANDARDS, AND INCREASED NUMBERS OF PERSONNEL; AND THAT PUBLIC STANDARDS FOR FINANCIAL ELEGIBILITY BE ESTABLISHED. THE REPORT ALSO RECOMMENDS THAT THE BURDEN OF LOWER COURTS BE REDUCED THROUGH LIMITING ARRESTS FOR CERTAIN VICTIMLESS CRIMES AND THROUGH INCREASED PRETRIAL INTERVENTION. FINALLY, THE REPORT CALLS FOR CONCERTED STATE AND LOCAL RESEARCH AND PLANNING EFFORTS TO TIMPLEMENT THE ARGERSINGER DECISION. (SNI ABSTRACT)