THE FOREWORD OF THE REPORT DISCUSSES A BOSTON UNIVERSITY STUDY THAT DISCOVERED A SERIOUS LACK OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE ARGERSINGER DECISION, WHICH HELD THAT NO PERSON MAY BE IMPRISONED UNLESS HE WAS REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL AT HIS TRIAL. IT IS THE STATED PURPOSE OF THE CONFERENCE TO ANALYZE AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF COUNSEL AVAILABLE TO INDIGENT MISDEMEANANTS. THE WORKSHOPS INCLUDED IN THE CONFERENCE WERE AS FOLLOWS: APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL AND HOW HANDLED; DEFENDER OR COUNSEL MANAGEMENT; ELIGIBILITY; LEGISLATIVE AND RULE CHANGES; PLANNING - DETERMINATION OF NEEDS AND DEMANDS; ADVOCACY METHODS; AND MEASURING EFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL. THE NEED FOR STATUTES AND COURT RULES DEALING WITH STANDARDS OF REPRESENTATION, INDIGENCY, AND PREDETERMING WAS FREQUENTLY DISCUSSED. THE NEED FOR POLICIES AND GUIDELINES TO DEFINE REPRESENTATIONAL EXPECTATIONS OF LAWYERS WAS ALSO A MAJOR TOPIC. IT WAS NOTED THAT A LOT NEEDS TO BE DONE IN THE FIELD OF PUBLIC DEFENDERS....RCB