New Jersey Took a Big Step Toward Eliminating Public Defender Fees. But Some Costs Remain.
Advocates say there is more work to be done to ensure public defenders don’t come with a price tag.
Advocates say there is more work to be done to ensure public defenders don’t come with a price tag.
Citing the pandemic, state legislators asked all agencies to trim their budgets. The cuts could eliminate positions for public defenders who can show a trial or sentence was unjust, overturn convictions, or reduce a person’s time.
Advocates warn that the cuts could push an already overburdened system to the breaking point.
At least two people have killed themselves in jail after waiting for more than a week to be appointed a lawyer.
After the state cut funds for capital defense, there’s a growing wait list of people in jail without a lawyer.