Friends To The Indigent

An ongoing crisis. People sitting in jail without a lawyer should be unheard of here in our country. If we truly want to ensure justice to all we have to commit resources at every stage and on every side.

Public defender shortage is leading to hundreds of criminal cases being dismissed There are never enough lawyers to provide indigent defense, but the situation has gotten worse since the pandemic.

Any Public Defender will tell you Brady violations happen all the time. Reasons they persist?

Because prosecutors claim evidence is not “material”
Because courts are hesitant to reverse convictions
It is nearly impossible to sue prosecutors in civil court.
State bar associations rarely discipline bad actors.
Courts are hesitant to impose disciplinary sanctions.
Prosecutors can avoid admitting misconduct by negotiating deals.
And defending bad behavior is not necessarily a hindrance to political advancement.

Locally, we still employ those found to have cheated by courts while claiming they do not tolerate cheating. How does that sent a message that cheating will not be tolerated?

Having a well resourced public defender office will provide better representation overall at a fair price. Contract and low pay systems can be more costly long turn and damage the criminal justice system and its reputation in disadvantaged communities.

Massachusetts court-appointed defense lawyers to stop work, demand pay increase A large number of court-appointed defense lawyers may stop doing the work Tuesday, which could cause a crisis for criminal defendants and the courts who seek their work.

Today March 18th is National Public Defense Day and World Social Work Day. They dont do it for the money. They do it to make a difference in the lives of others. If you see one today. Tell them "Thanks". It will mean the world to them. They do not hear it enough