Public defender gets ACLU award

COEUR d'ALENE - Kootenai County Public Defender John Adams is the 2014 recipient of the Dave Judy Civil Rights Service Award.

Former U.S. Attorney for Idaho Betty Richardson was last year's recipient, and the first to receive the award. The American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho announced its selection of Adams last week.

"Public defenders have one of the toughest, yet most important jobs in the American legal system today," said Monica Hopkins, ACLU of Idaho's executive director. "Their role is to defend a person's constitutional rights against an almighty government and ensure that due process and fairness under the law is carried out."

Idaho's public defender system has its shortcomings, she said. Adams, however, has been able to establish what "is arguably the best public defense delivery system possible," she added.

Adams said Monday it's great that a public defender has been recognized for civil rights work. He is honored by this award, he said.

"But really it speaks to the endeavor for civil rights by every man and woman working in the Kootenai County public defender's office each day," Adams said. "I'm the face of the office, but those are the people who do the work."

He has been Kootenai County's public defender for almost 19 years.

The Dave Judy award "recognizes an Idahoan who exemplifies commitment and service to advancing the fundamental principles that have championed the cause for civil rights in the state," the ACLU said in its announcement.

The award will be presented to Adams on Friday at the organization's 2014 "Justice is the New Black" annual event at Boise State University.

Adams was admitted to the Idaho State Bar in 1985 after graduating from the University of Arizona school of law. In addition to North Idaho, he has practiced in Arizona, Hawaii and Boise.

In November, Adams was presented with the Idaho State Bar's professionalism award for 2013.

Dave Judy, who died in 2012, was a member of the ACLU of Idaho since its founding.