the right to an attorney exists in what level of court

by Otilia Cummerata MD 6 min read

The right to counsel refers to the right of a criminal defendant to have a lawyer assist in his defense, even if he cannot afford to pay for an attorney. The Sixth Amendment gives defendants the right to counsel in federal prosecutions. However, the right to counsel was not applied to state prosecutions for felony offenses until 1963 in Gideon v.

Individuals have the right to representation by an attorney once a criminal case against them has commenced, and the Supreme Court has also recognized the right to counsel during certain preliminary proceedings.Oct 16, 2021

Full Answer

Is the right to an attorney in your state?

The right to counsel refers to the right of a criminal defendant to have a lawyer assist in his defense, even if he cannot afford to pay for an attorney. The Sixth Amendment gives defendants the right to counsel in federal prosecutions. However, the right to counsel was not applied to state prosecutions for felony offenses until 1963 in Gideon v.

Does the right to counsel imply a right to an attorney?

In some jurisdictions this is a government-funded attorney; in others, it is a private attorney appointed by the court to represent the child. Depending on the case, the attorney may side with the parents and argue for return of the child to their care, or the attorney may take the position that it is in the best interests of the child to be removed from the custody of the parents.

When does a defendant gain the right to an attorney?

Feb 02, 2022 · The Supreme Court building is pictured on Jan. 27. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post) ... the right to get an attorney exists in fewer proceedings; ... with fights over judges at every level ...

Do you have a right to a criminal defense attorney?

judgment - The official decision of a court finally determining the respective rights and claims of the parties to a suit. jurisdiction - (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for …

image

What is the right to an attorney called?

The right to counselOverview. The right to counsel refers to the right of a criminal defendant to have a lawyer assist in his defense, even if he cannot afford to pay for an attorney. The Sixth Amendment gives defendants the right to counsel in federal prosecutions.

Is the right to an attorney in the Constitution?

The Sixth Amendment guarantees the rights of criminal defendants, including the right to a public trial without unnecessary delay, the right to a lawyer, the right to an impartial jury, and the right to know who your accusers are and the nature of the charges and evidence against you.

Does the right to counsel exist at a lineup or Showup?

A person has a Sixth Amendment right to counsel at a lineup or showup undertaken "at or after initiation of adversary criminal proceedings--whether by way of formal charge, preliminary hearing, indictment, information, or arraignment." Moore v.Jan 22, 2020

Which Supreme Court ruling established the right to an attorney?

Gideon v. WainwrightIn Gideon v. Wainwright (1963), the Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution requires the states to provide defense attorneys to criminal defendants charged with serious offenses who cannot afford lawyers themselves. The case began with the 1961 arrest of Clarence Earl Gideon.

Is a lawyer's right to be heard in a particular court?

In common law, a right of audience is generally a right of a lawyer to appear and conduct proceedings in court on behalf of their client.

Why do we have the right to a lawyer?

The right to an attorney protects people from an unfair trial. The success of a person's trial largely depends on the ability of their attorney to provide an adequate defense. The Supreme Court of the United States affirmed that the right to counsel promises an effective lawyer.Jun 13, 2018

Does everyone have the right to a lawyer?

Everyone is not entitled to representation. The US Constitution only provides for a right to an attorney in criminal cases. Legal Aid handles only civil matters. Before a case is accepted the case must be determined to have legal merit and meet Legal Aid priorities.

What Does 5th Amendment say?

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be ...

What is representation right?

The right to representation by a lawyer or other person may proved to be part of Principles of Natural Justice in any proceedings before formal authority or investigation if there is no provision to the contrary. ...

What is a field showup?

Field show up means a procedure in which a suspect is detained shortly after the commission of a crime and who, based on his or her appearance, his or her distance from the crime scene, or other circumstantial evidence, is suspected of having just committed a crime.

What is a lineup in law?

A lineup is a relatively formalized procedure wherein a suspect, who is generally already in custody, is placed among a group of other persons whose general appearance resembles the suspect. The witness is then asked whether he can identify the perpetrator of the crime.

Is counsel required at a lineup?

Wade, 417 which, with Gilbert v. California, 418 held that lineups are a critical stage and that in-court identification of defendants based on out-of-court lineups or show-ups without the presence of defendant's counsel is inadmissible. ...

What was the Supreme Court ruling in Gideon v. Wainwright?

Wainwright. On March 18, 1963, the United States Supreme Court announced that people accused of crimes have a right to an attorney even if they cannot afford one.Mar 1, 2021

Was Gideon v. Wainwright unanimous?

In 1963, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously in favor of Gideon, guaranteeing the right to legal counsel for criminal defendants in federal and state courts. Following the decision, Gideon was given another trial with an appointed lawyer and was acquitted of the charges.

What is meant by the term Exclusionary Rule?

The exclusionary rule prevents the government from using most evidence gathered in violation of the United States Constitution. The decision in Mapp v. Ohio established that the exclusionary rule applies to evidence gained from an unreasonable search or seizure in violation of the Fourth Amendment.

In which of the following cases did the court hold that an accused has a right to represent him her self?

The case that established that defendants have a right to represent themselves was Faretta v. California, U.S. Sup. Ct. 1975. The Faretta case said that a judge must allow self-representation if a defendant is competent to understand and participate in the court proceedings.

What is right of audience in courts?

DEFINITIONS1. the right of a lawyer to appear and conduct proceedings in court on behalf of their client.

Is a barrister a lawyer?

The term lawyer is a generic term used to describe anyone who is a Licensed Legal Practitioner qualified to give legal advice in one or more areas of law. Put simply, solicitors and barristers are both types of lawyer.

Can be used against you in the court of law?

Anything you say may be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to consult an attorney before speaking to the police and to have an attorney present during questioning now or in the future. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you before any questioning if you wish.

Is the right to legal representation absolute?

[26] But as Harms JA emphasised in S v Halgryn:15 'Although the right to choose a legal representative is a fundamental one and one to be zealously protected by the courts, it is not an absolute right and is subject to reasonable limitations.Sep 22, 2010

What is legal representation in law?

legal representation in British English (ˈliːɡəl ˌrɛprəzɛnˈteɪʃən) law. representation by a lawyer. If defendants come to court without legal representation, they will not be adequately defended.

Which right does the First Amendment protect?

freedom of speechAmong other cherished values, the First Amendment protects freedom of speech. The U.S. Supreme Court often has struggled to determine what exactly constitutes protected speech.

Why is my attorney not fighting for me?

For example, in a custody, divorce, criminal, or civil case, your lawyer might not be fighting properly. It might be a sign of incompetence or even a conflict of interest in your client attorney relationship. If you believe that my lawyer is not fighting for me, it may be due to the lawyer's style and mannerisms.Jul 24, 2020

Is the right to counsel a fundamental right?

The right to representation by counsel in a criminal proceeding is one of the fundamental rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. The government does not always go to great lengths to fulfill its duty to make counsel available to defendants who cannot afford an attorney.Oct 16, 2021

Which court has jurisdiction to hear appeals in specialized cases?

The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has nationwide jurisdiction to hear appeals in specialized cases, such as those involving patent laws and cases decided by the Court of International Trade and the Court of Federal Claims.

What is the highest court in the United States?

The Supreme Court of the United States in Washington, D.C. is the highest court in the nation. Move forward to the next page to learn about it. There are several federal courts that are not actually part of the judicial branch of government. Congress established these courts to handle specific topics.

What are the duties of a district court judge?

←Click to read more about District Courts 1 Congress passed a law in 1968 establishing the position of U.S. Magistrate Judge . They are federal judges of the district courts who serve 8 year terms. They handle preliminary criminal matters such as setting bail and issuing search warrants, and they assist the district judges with all types of cases. 2 Bankruptcy courts are separate units of the district courts. Federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction over bankruptcy cases. People or businesses file for bankruptcy when they have more liabilities than they have the ability to pay from their assets and income. Bankruptcy judges serve 14 year terms. 3 The U.S. Court of International Trade has nationwide jurisdiction over cases involving international trade and customs. 4 The U.S. Court of Federal Claims has nationwide jurisdiction over cases over most claims for money damages against the United States, disputes over federal contracts, unlawful “takings” of private property by the federal government, and a variety of other claims against the United States.

What is the purpose of Article III of the Constitution?

Article III of the Constitution stated that the judicial power of the United States would reside in “one supreme Court,” making this court the first and only court established by the Constitution. The framers also understood that as the nation grew, there might be a need for more courts. To account for this, the Constitution gave Congress ...

How many states have a district court?

Every state has at least one federal district, and some have as many as four. The District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands each have a district court.

Where was the Supreme Court located?

When the Supreme Court was first created, it was located in the U.S. capital, but judges also traveled a “circuit” in various states to hear cases. As the Courts of Appeal were created, judges did the same thing, traveling to courts within their circuit or region as needed.

What is the original jurisdiction of a district court?

District courts have original jurisdiction, which means that they preside over cases first. These cases may be either criminal or civil cases. Criminal : Cases in which you break a federal law and get arrested are heard in a federal district court.

What is the right to counsel?

The Right to Counsel in America Today. The danger of government wrongly taking a person’s liberty led the United States Supreme Court in 1963 to unanimously declare it an “obvious truth” that an indigent person cannot receive a fair trial against the “machinery” of law enforcement unless a lawyer is provided to him at no cost.

Which amendment guarantees the right to counsel?

The Sixth Amendment guarantees that every person has the right to counsel, and further that the lawyer provided to represent an indigent person must be effective. In United States v. Cronic, the Supreme Court explained that, if certain factors are present in a public defense system (or necessary factors are absent) at the outset of a case, ...

What is the 6th amendment?

The Sixth Amendment right to counsel is an individual right, held by each and every defendant. It does not matter if a government provides effective representation to the first co-defendant, if not to the second; or to people charged with felony offenses, if not to those charged with misdemeanors; or to those charged in certain courts, ...

What is the state's duty to the indigent?

A state’s duty is to ensure that every indigent person who is facing the possibility of time in jail receives a lawyer to effectively represent them at every critical stage of their case. We break this down into smaller pieces to identify the ways states are failing in this obligation.

Who represents indigent defendants?

By far, most indigent defendants in the United States are represented by a private attorney who is under contract to a county administrator or judge – the same judge who presides over the defendant’s case — to handle an unlimited number of cases for a single flat fee.

Do poor people have the right to counsel?

In many courts, poor people are actually denied their right to counsel – meaning a judge literally refuses to appoint counsel to represent them. This happens in three primary ways.

What is the right to counsel?

Overview. The right to counsel refers to the right of a criminal defendant to have a lawyer assist in his defense, even if he cannot afford to pay for an attorney. The Sixth Amendment gives defendants the right to counsel in federal prosecutions. However, the right to counsel was not applied to state prosecutions for felony offenses ...

What is the Supreme Court ruling on the right to counsel?

In addition, the Supreme Court has ruled that the right to counsel implies the right to an effective lawyer. To determine whether a court-appointed attorney has given effective counsel, courts will use the test established by the Supreme Court in Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668 (1984). The Court established a two-prong test for whether a court-appointed attorney has given the proper amount of care to a court-appointed client:

What is the right to counsel?

Right to counsel means a defendant has a right to have the assistance of counsel (i.e., lawyers) and, if the defendant cannot afford a lawyer, requires that the government appoint one or pay the defendant's legal expenses. The right to counsel is generally regarded as a constituent of the right to a fair trial. Historically, however, not all countries have always recognized the right to counsel. The right is often included in national constitutions. 153 of the 194 constitutions currently in force have language to this effect.

What is the right to representation in Israel?

All defendants, detainees, and criminal suspects in Israel are entitled to legal representation in any criminal proceedings pertaining to them and all suspects are also entitled to consult a lawyer prior to police interrogation. However, only those deemed eligible are entitled to state-funded representation if they cannot afford a lawyer. The Israeli Justice Ministry maintains the Public Defense unit to provide state-funded legal counsel to eligible defendants. In criminal trials, all defendants charged with a severe crime carrying a penalty of at least 10 years imprisonment and indigent defendants charged with a crime carrying a penalty of at least 5 years imprisonment are entitled to representation by the Public Defense, as are juveniles and the disabled. All indigent detainees and detainess for whom a request has been filed for remand until the end of proceedings are also entitled to representation from the Public Defense, as are prisoners who are facing parole hearings, anyone facing extradition proceedings, and sentenced defendants requesting retrial when cause is found.

What is ineffective assistance of counsel?

Ineffective assistance of counsel 1 that defense counsel's performance fell below an objective standard of reasonableness (the "performance prong") and 2 that, but for the deficient performance, there is a reasonable probability that the result of the proceeding would have been different (the "prejudice prong").

What is the right to counsel in Ethiopia?

The right to counsel is considered a constitutional right in Ethiopia. As per Article 20 (5) of the Constitution of Ethiopia, "Accused persons have the right to be represented by legal counsel of their choice, and, if they do not have sufficient means to pay for it and miscarriage of justice would result, to be provided with legal representation at state expense." Ethiopia has public defender systems at both the federal and regional levels, however problems exist with public defense services being inadequate in some areas. A public defender can be assigned on request of the defendant or if the court so chooses. In addition to the public defender system, the Ethiopian judicial system also provides for private attorneys to offer pro bono representation to indigent defendants. Article 49 of the Federal Court Advocates’ Code of Conduct mandates that private attorneys must offer a minimum of 50 hours of legal representation for free or with minimum payment.

Do Chinese citizens have the right to counsel?

China. According to Article 125 of the Constitution of the People's Republic of China and Article 11 of the Criminal Procedure Law of 1996, Chinese citizens have the right to legal counsel in court. The accused's right to counsel in China only comes into being once a case goes to trial.

What is the Constitution of India?

India. Article 22 of the Constitution of India states that "No person who is arrested shall be detained in custody without being informed, as soon as may be, of the grounds for such arrest nor shall he be denied the right to consult, and to be defended by, a legal practitioner of his choice.".

Does Germany have legal aid?

Germany. See also: Legal aid in Germany. In Germany, it is mandatory that all defendants charged with a crime carrying a penalty of at least one year in prison have legal counsel, even if they themselves do not wish to have it, and the court will appoint a lawyer to represent a defendant who has not done so.

Which court has original jurisdiction?

Although it is primarily an appellate court, the Supreme Court has original jurisdiction in the following cases: Cases between the United States and a state. Cases between states, and cases involving foreign ambassadors, ministers, and consuls. Cases between a state and a citizen of another state or country.

What is the lowest level of federal court?

Federal District Courts are the lowest level of the federal court system. These courts have original jurisdiction over all cases involving a violation of federal statutes or other instances of statutorily-defined federal jurisdiction. These district courts handle thousands of cases per year.

What is the court system in the United States?

The court system in the United States is based upon the principle of federalism. The first Congress established a federal court system, and the individual states were permitted to continue their own judicial structure.

When did the juvenile justice system start?

However, the present day American state-level juvenile court system dates back to 1899 when the state of Illinois passed the Illinois Juvenile Court Act. It was at that time that the juvenile court system as we know it today came into existence (Fox 1972). This statute separated the juvenile court system from the adult criminal system. It labeled minors who violated the law as "delinquents" rather than criminals, and required that juvenile court judges determine what "is in the best interests of the minor" in rendering their decision.

Who first proposed the concept of judicial review?

The concept of judicial review was first referred to by Alexander Hamilton in the Federalist Papers, where he described the function of the Supreme Court as ensuring that the will of the people will be supreme over the will of the legislature ( The Supreme Court of the United States, no date).

What is the role of the Supreme Court?

Supreme Court and the various state supreme courts exercise supervision only in the sense that they hear appellate cases from lower courts and establish certain procedures for these courts. Specialization occurs primarily at the state and local level.

What is the purpose of trial courts?

The trial court conducts the entire series of acts that culminate in either the defendant's release or sentencing. State trial courts can be further divided into courts of: Limited or special jurisdiction.

What is the power of an appellate court?

appellate - About appeals; an appellate court has the power to review the judgment of another lower court or tribunal. arraignment - A proceeding in which an individual who is accused of committing a crime is brought into court, told of the charges, and asked to plead guilty or not guilty.

How many judges are in a court of appeals?

Refers to court sessions with the entire membership of a court participating, rather than the usual quorum. U.S. courts of appeals usually sit in panels of three judges, but may expand to a larger number in certain cases they deem important enough to be decided by the entire court.

What is the appellant in a lawsuit?

To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal.". Both the plaintiff and the defendant can appeal, and the party doing so is called the appellant. Appeals can be made for a variety of reasons including improper procedure and asking the court to change its interpretation of the law.

How many people are on a federal criminal jury?

Federal criminal juries consist of 12 persons. Federal civil juries consist of six persons. plaintiff - The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit. plea - In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges in open court.

What is an affidavit in court?

affidavit - A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it. Affidavits must be notarized or administered by an officer of the court with such authority. affirmed - Judgment by appellate courts where the decree or order is declared valid and will stand as decided in the lower court.

What is bail in criminal law?

bail - Security given for the release of a criminal defendant or witness from legal custody (usually in the form of money) to secure his/her appearance on the day and time appointed.

What is bench trial?

bench trial - Trial without a jury in which a judge decides the facts. In a jury trial, the jury decides the facts. Defendants will occasionally waive the right to a jury trial and choose to have a bench trial. beyond a reasonable doubt - Standard required to convict a criminal defendant of a crime. The prosecution must prove the guilt so that ...

image

The Right to A Criminal Defense Attorney

  • The right to representation by counsel in a criminal proceeding is one of the fundamental rightsguaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. The government does not always go to great lengths to fulfill its duty to make counsel available to defendants who cannot afford an attorney. In general, however, defendants still have the right to counsel of their choosing. Violations of these rights …
See more on justia.com

Sixth Amendment

  • The Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states that “[i]n all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right . . . to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.” This has applied in federal prosecutions for most of the nation’s history. Many states, however, did not always provide this protection to defendants. Indiana was something of an outlier, having recog…
See more on justia.com

Choice of Attorney

  • The U.S. Supreme Court has gradually recognized a defendant’s right to counsel of his or her own choosing. A court may deny a defendant’s choice of attorney in certain situations, however, such as if the court concludes that the attorney has a significant conflict of interest. Wheat v. United States, 486 U.S. 153 (1988). The Supreme Court has held that a defendant does not have a right …
See more on justia.com

Public Defender

  • The Supreme Court’s decision in Gideon v. Wainwright established the right to counsel under the Sixth Amendment, regardless of a defendant’s ability to pay for an attorney. It mostly left the standards for determining who qualifies for legal representation at public expense to the states. In the federal court system, federal public defendersrepresent defendants who meet a defined sta…
See more on justia.com

Denial of Right to Counsel

  • Deprivation of a defendant’s right to counsel, or denial of a choice of attorney without good cause, should result in the reversal of the defendant’s conviction, according to the U.S. Supreme Court. United States v. Gonzalez-Lopez, 548 U.S. 140 (2006).
See more on justia.com

Ineffective Assistance of Counsel

  • Even if a defendant is represented by an attorney of his or her choosing, he or she may be entitled to relief on appeal if the attorney did not provide adequate representation. A defendant must demonstrate that the attorney’s performance “fell below an objective standard of reasonableness” and that this was prejudicial to the case. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 688-92 (1984).
See more on justia.com

Right of Self-Representation

  • Defendants have the right to represent themselves, known as appearing pro se, in a criminal trial. A court has the obligation to determine whether the defendant fully understands the risks of waiving the right to counsel and is doing so voluntarily.
See more on justia.com

Right to Counsel in Immigration Proceedings

  • Immigration proceedings, including deportation hearings, are considered civil in nature, not criminal, so the Sixth Amendment right to counsel does not apply. INS v. Lopez-Mendoza, 468 U.S. 1032 (1984). Federal immigration law contains a statutory right to counselin removal proceedings, but only at no expense to the government. Last reviewed October 2021
See more on justia.com

Lack of Information

Image
The United States district courts are the trial courtsof the federal court system. This is where federal cases are tried, where witnesses testify, and federal juries serve. There are 94 federal district courts in the United States. 1. District courts have original jurisdiction, which means that they preside over cases first. These cases …
See more on judiciallearningcenter.org

Lack of Accountability and Oversight

The Actual and Constructive Denial of The Right to Counsel

Conclusion

  • The scope of the problem is massive. Setting aside entirely the federal justice system, our state-level criminal justice system spans the courts of 50 states, made up of 3,033 organized counties or county-equivalents, and within those counties are nearly innumerable municipalities. The right to counsel must be carried out in the courts of all of these disparate governments. While more i…
See more on sixthamendment.org

Australia

  • Every jurisdiction has unique court structures and cultures, geographic expanses and population centers, and criminal procedures, law, and rules. As a result of all of these differences among and even within jurisdictions, the manner in which the right to counsel is provided, or denied, varies dramatically from courtroom to courtroom. Some states have put in place statewide systems th…
See more on sixthamendment.org

Brazil

  • A state’s duty is to ensure that every indigent person who is facing the possibility of time in jail receives a lawyer to effectively represent them at every critical stage of their case. We break this down into smaller pieces to identify the ways states are failing in this obligation.
See more on sixthamendment.org

Canada

  • America’s failure to fulfill the right to counsel for the poor has far-reaching effects throughout our criminal justice systems and into our communities. Point to almost any criminal justice issue – wrongful convictions, debtors’ prisons, over-incarceration, non-violent offenders serving life sentences, etc. – and at root of the problem is the lack of true advocacy on behalf of people of i…
See more on sixthamendment.org

China

  • In Australia, suspects and defendants have the right to have legal representation during investigation and trial. Australian law does not recognize a right to publicly-funded legal defense, but does recognize that in the absence of counsel the accused may not receive a fair trial as mandated by law. Only the states of Victoria and New South Wales have dedicated public defen…
See more on en.wikipedia.org

Ethiopia

  • The Constitution of Brazil declares that all defendants have right to counsel, and mandates that all defendants who cannot pay for an attorney are entitled to state-funded legal representation in all criminal and civil cases.Public defender's offices exist at both state and federal levels as mandated by the constitution. A person must formally declare that they cannot afford regular le…
See more on en.wikipedia.org

France

  • In Canada, the right to counsel is guaranteed under Section Ten of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms upon "arrest and detention", as well as the right to habeas corpus. In October 2010, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled in the case R v Sinclair that the right to counsel during interrogation is not absolute in Canada. It said that importing US-style Miranda rights was not in …
See more on en.wikipedia.org

Germany

  • According to Article 125 of the Constitution of the People's Republic of China and Article 11 of the Criminal Procedure Law of 1996, Chinese citizens have the right to legal counsel in court. The accused's right to counsel in China only comes into being once a case goes to trial. It does not exist at the investigative stage. A suspect under investigation only has the right to retain a lawye…
See more on en.wikipedia.org

India

  • The right to counsel is considered a constitutional right in Ethiopia. As per Article 20(5) of the Constitution of Ethiopia, "Accused persons have the right to be represented by legal counsel of their choice, and, if they do not have sufficient means to pay for it and miscarriage of justice would result, to be provided with legal representation at state expense." Ethiopia has public defe…
See more on en.wikipedia.org

Israel

  • The Napoleonic Code of Criminal Instruction, adopted in France in 1808 and inspiring many similar codes in civil law countries, made it compulsory that the defendant should have a lawyer when tried in the assize courts (which judged severe crimes). All criminal defendants in France enjoy right to counsel, and there is also a right to counsel in civil and administrative cases. Stat…
See more on en.wikipedia.org

Japan

  • In Germany, it is mandatory that all defendants charged with a crime carrying a penalty of at least one year in prison have legal counsel, even if they themselves do not wish to have it, and the court will appoint a lawyer to represent a defendant who has not done so. There is no organized public defender system in Germany. The court can appoint any lawyer as counsel to a specific defenda…
See more on en.wikipedia.org