The NY Times reports that in many states the budgets for public defenders has been slashed, yet caseloads continue to rise, creating a crisis in the criminal justice system.
Lawsuits have been filed by public defenders in Florida and elsewhere to limit the number of cases they have to take on. With limited resources and a long list of clients, public defenders say they are overwhelmed to the point where they are concerned that there is a real risk that they will not be able to provide an adequate defense in cases.
As a practicing lawyer, although on the civil side, I can say that in my own experience in the Massachusetts and New York state court systems, these courts are underfunded, judges are overworked, and the facilities themselves are in need of renovation and repair.
More funding is needed for public defenders, since the right to counsel is not only enshrined in our constitutional law, but also the mark of a free and just society. More funding is also needed for our state courts nationwide.
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