Public defenders press for COLA in SF 4154; committee lays bill over pending finance direction Board of Public Defense representatives described recruitment and retention problems and requested modest cost‑of‑living adjustments; the Judiciary Committee heard testimony but laid SF 4154 over pending guidance from the finance committee.

Public defenders in Minnesota are fighting for crucial cost-of-living adjustments, warning that without them, the profession risks losing dedicated attorneys amid rising pressures.

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#MN #CitizenPortal #MinnesotaPublicDefenders #EmployeeRetention #PublicDefense #CostOfLiving

In Honor of the 63rd Anniversary of Gideon v. Wainright, Our Director of Community Outreach Mr. Anthony Graves gave a keynote speech to the Travis County Community Legal Services at their Gideon Day program. 

#GideonsDay #PublicDefense #HarrisCounty

Joint committee hears push to let Committee for Public Counsel Services staff seek collective bargaining under H.5009 The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions heard testimony on initiative petition 2522 (H.5009), which would amend state law to allow Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) staff access to the public-sector collective-bargaining process. Witnesses described the legal history, agency structure, staffing pressures and how any change would trigger union-organizing steps rather than automatically create a union.

Massachusetts is on the brink of a significant change that could empower public defense staff to pursue collective bargaining—could this be the solution to their mounting challenges?

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#MA #CollectiveBargaining #CitizenPortal #LaborRights #PublicDefense

Houghton County work session flags $139,634 deficit tied to Tri County Public Defenders; state grant frozen County administrators told commissioners that a $139,634 deficit in the Michigan Indigent Defense Fund, tied to payments to Tri County Public Defenders, has prompted a state freeze on grant disbursements while accounts are reconciled; investigators and county counsel will be contacted.

Houghton County faces a $139,634 deficit linked to the Tri County Public Defenders, leading to a state grant freeze and investigations into the matter.

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#MI #CivicAccountability #CitizenPortal #FinancialTransparency #PublicDefense

Senate concurs with House amendments and passes gross substitute Senate Bill 6346 after extended floor debate The state Senate voted to concur in House amendments to gross substitute Senate Bill 6346 and then passed the measure after hours of debate over the bill's scope, inflation indexing, charitable and gambling deductions, and funding trade-offs including school meals and public defense. Vote: concurrence and final passage, 27–21–1.

The state Senate has passed a controversial income tax bill after intense debate, sparking fierce discussions over its implications for taxpayers and essential services like education and public defense.

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#WA #ChildhoodHunger #CitizenPortal #TaxReform #PublicDefense

453 | How America's Mass Surveillance State is Making it More Likely that Your Data Will be Used Against You w/Andrew Ferguson Podcast Episode · Public Defenseless · March 10 · 57m

If you are not listening to the
@pdefenselesspod.bsky.social podcast you are missing out, and not just because this time he is discussing “Your Data Will Be Used Against You.” #BookSky #PublicDefense #Law

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/p...

House approves bill adding superior court judges to address caseload pressures Senate Bill 58-68, to add superior court judges in counties with shortages, passed the House unanimously (95-0, 3 excused). Representatives said the addition responds to local caseload and public-defense strains in counties including Skagit and Yakima.

The House just passed a unanimous bill to add superior court judges in counties like Skagit, responding to urgent local needs for justice and public defense!

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#WA #CitizenPortal #AccessToJustice #JudicialReform #PublicDefense

MDefenders | University of Michigan Law School MDefenders is a faculty-sponsored student organization as well as a network of courses, programming, and resources that support public defense education at Michigan Law and beyond. Founded in 2014, MD...

Public defense is a calling—and a craft. Michigan Law’s MDefenders program trains student defenders to be client-centered, zealous advocates who can raise the level of representation wherever they go. michigan.law.umich.edu/mdefenders #PublicDefense #MichiganLaw

a neon sign of the number 9 on a dark background Alt: a neon sign of the number 9 on a dark background

Last week, I hit 9 years as a public defender. Hell yeah, baby, stay punk. #publicdefender #crime #law #work #lawyer #job #hashtag #nine #publicdefense #employed

Public Defender Training Institute | University of Michigan Law School

Future public defenders: There’s an intensive, skills-based immersion into indigent defense at Michigan Law—taught by current/former defenders (plus alumni in the field). To learn more, check out michigan.law.umich.edu/public-defen.... #PublicDefense #MichiganLaw

Committee hears plan to reinstate indigent defense task force to study statewide public-defense needs SB 5,912 would reinstate an indigent defense task force to examine Washington’s public-defense delivery, statewide caseloads and funding needs, with a report due Jan. 1, 2028; counties and the Office of Public Defense urged study to inform future budget and structural decisions.

A new bill aims to establish a statewide task force to address the urgent public-defense crisis in Washington, promising critical data and recommendations by 2028.

Learn more here!

#WA #DataDrivenPolicy #CitizenPortal #LegalRepresentation #PublicDefense

Public defender urges county to add attorneys, mitigation staff as new law raises workload The DeKalb public defender described heavy caseloads and a roughly 40% turnover rate over two years, asked for four attorneys plus investigators and client advocates to comply with House Bill 582, and said grant-funded client advocates' funding expires in May.

DeKalb County's public defender warns that skyrocketing workloads and a staggering 40% turnover rate could jeopardize effective representation unless additional staff is funded.

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#DeKalbCounty #GA #CitizenPortal #PublicDefense #WorkforceDevelopment

Utah County asks state for $2 million to help cover costs in the Tyler Robinson prosecution and defense Utah County officials told the appropriations subcommittee the high‑profile Tyler Robinson case has put extraordinary one‑time costs on county taxpayers and requested $2,000,000 to help cover prosecution and defense expenses related to the case.

Utah County is seeking a $2 million lifeline to cope with the staggering costs of the high-profile Tyler Robinson case that’s stretching taxpayer resources thin.

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#UT #CivicAccountability #BudgetTransparency #CitizenPortal #PublicDefense

Spokane County briefed on state budget timing, public-defense fund and juvenile-sentencing bill County legislative staff told commissioners the state budget will be released later this month, reported an income-tax proposal now would dedicate 7% (up from 5%) of revenue to a public-defense fund under a revised distribution formula, and warned a juvenile-sentencing bill ("23.89") could shift millions in costs to counties.

Spokane County could face significant budget shifts as new state bills on public defense funding and juvenile sentencing loom on the horizon.

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #JuvenileJustice #LocalInfrastructure #PublicDefense

Panel hears near‑consensus support to reduce penalties and add supervision for failure to register House Bill 2403 would lower penalties for certain offender registration failures, expand community custody options and require Department of Corrections support; public defenders, local stakeholders, and staff told the committee the change is cost-effective and broadly supported by criminal justice actors.

House Bill 2403 is gaining rare consensus in Washington, aiming to lower penalties for registration failures while enhancing community support for offenders.

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#WA #CitizenPortal #CommunityCustody #CriminalJusticeReform #PublicDefense

Spokane County hears Olympia update; commissioners oppose state preemption on public camping, weigh public-health cuts County lobbyist Mike Burgess briefed commissioners on session cutoffs and multiple bills, including a proposed income tax revenue share for public defense, a public-camping preemption bill that would curb local control, and pending waste-to-energy emission targets; county staff will follow up before committee hearings.

Spokane County faces crucial decisions as lawmakers push bills that could reshape local authority and budgets, including a controversial income tax proposal for public defense funding.

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #EnvironmentalPolicy #LocalControl #PublicDefense

Committee hears request to add Superior Court judge in Palmer amid high caseloads The Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony on SB 212, a Supreme Court request to add a 46th Superior Court judgeship seated in Palmer to address above-average caseloads in the Mat Su Valley. Committee members pressed court officials and the public defender on facilities, costs and staffing; the bill was set aside for further review.

The Alaska Senate Judiciary Committee is considering a crucial bill to add a Superior Court judge in Palmer, a move driven by skyrocketing caseloads that far exceed the state average.

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#AK #PublicDefense #JudicialReform #CourtCaseloads #CitizenPortal #PalmerAlaska

House Finance subcommittee reviews Department of AdministrationFY27 budget, position transfers and IT pilots State DOA presented a $350 million FY27 budget request, detailed the transfer of dozens of shared-services positions back to agencies, reported an 11.9% vacancy rate across divisions, and discussed limited Microsoft 365 Copilot piloting and IT cost pressures.

The Alaska House Finance Subcommittee just reviewed a $350 million budget proposal that could reshape how state services are delivered—are the agencies ready for the shift?

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#AK #BudgetTransparency #ITCostEfficiency #PublicDefense #AlaskaAdministration #CitizenPortal

Public‑defense office flags staffing strain and urges state funding as budget shortfalls bite Officials reviewing the office of public defense budget described revenue shortfalls, a recent grant increase, staffing turnover and concerns that the state is not funding constitutionally required services; speakers said a lawsuit aims to compel the state to pay what counties say it must, and commissioners discussed hiring and caseload standards.

Cowlitz County's public defense office is sounding the alarm on budget shortfalls and looming staffing crises that could jeopardize access to justice.

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#CowlitzCounty #WA #PublicDefense #FundingChallenges #CitizenPortal #CivicAccountability

Public defense director warns state underfunding will force hiring and operational changes County staff reviewed Office of Public Defense finances and the OPD director said recent Supreme Court time‑to‑judge rules and longstanding underfunding by the state are driving hiring needs and increased costs; commissioners discussed funding options and operational impacts.

Cowlitz County's Office of Public Defense is facing a funding crisis that could force significant operational changes and increased hiring amidst new Supreme Court mandates.

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#CowlitzCounty #WA #PublicDefense #LegalReform #StateFunding #CitizenPortal

Public Defender office warns of mounting caseloads and urges contractor pay pilot The chief public defender and commission told the committee caseloads are up about 42% over nine years; contract attorneys have declined and are paid far less than civil contractors. The office urged funding for a pilot to pay contract attorneys hourly (proposed $150/hr) to improve recruitment and retention and asked for supplemental help for core transcription and training.

New Mexico's public defenders are sounding the alarm as workloads surge 42% over the past nine years, urging lawmakers to fund a pilot project for competitive hourly pay to attract much-needed contract attorneys.

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#NM #NewMexicoPublicDefense #PublicDefense #LegalReform

Lawmakers hear widespread call to study indigent defense funding and delivery in SB 5,912 Local officials, counties, public defense groups and the Office of Public Defense told the committee that a shortage of public defenders and disparate regional capacity justify reinstating an Indigent Defense Task Force to recommend reforms; witnesses warned state funding will be necessary to avoid shifting costs to counties.

Washington's Senate Bill 5,912 aims to tackle the urgent public defender crisis, pushing for reforms while highlighting the dire need for funding to avert shifting costs to struggling counties.

Get the details!

#WA #CivicAccountability #PublicDefense #CitizenPortal #RuralRepresentation

Thurston County readies lobbying push as short 2026 legislative session begins County consultant warned the 60-day 2026 session will be "fast and furious," flagged a $2.3 billion state budget gap, and urged early hearings for county priorities including a $5 million ask for a Regional Justice Center, public defense reimbursement bills, and proposals for animal services funding.

Thurston County is gearing up for a high-stakes legislative session with a $2.3 billion budget gap and urgent priorities like a $5 million funding request for a new Regional Justice Center.

Get the details!

#ThurstonCounty #WA #AnimalServices #PublicDefense #BudgetGap #CitizenPortal

Committee grants $1 million interim appropriation to address indigent defense caseloads The Fiscal Committee approved a $1 million interim appropriation for the Judicial Council to pay fixed‑fee contract attorneys after the council said existing funds were exhausted and hundreds of people are awaiting counsel.

New Hampshire's Fiscal Committee just approved a critical $1 million interim fund to tackle the overwhelming demand for indigent defense, with hundreds awaiting legal counsel.

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#NH #NewHampshireIndigentDefense #PublicDefense #FiscalTransparency #LegalAid #CitizenPortal

Commissioners establish public defender department and approve administrator and attorney contracts The board adopted Ordinance 2025-31 to create a Public Defender Department and approved contracts for a contracted administrator (Mackenzie Brittenstein) and six public defenders, with pay structured to meet state reimbursement standards.

Marshall County is taking a bold step toward justice by establishing a dedicated Public Defender Department, complete with a new administrator and six attorneys to ensure fair legal representation for all.

Learn more here!

#MarshallCounty #IN #LegalAccess #PublicDefense #CitizenPortal

Spokane County lays out 2026 legislative priorities, flags $15 million public-defense burden Spokane County commissioners and state legislators met Dec. 10 to review the county's 2026 legislative priorities, including public defense cost pressures, behavioral-health facility funding, transportation projects, TIF reform and broadband planning.

Spokane County officials unveiled their 2026 legislative priorities, revealing a staggering $15 million public-defense burden that could reshape local services and infrastructure.

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #HousingReform #PublicDefense #InfrastructureDevelopment #CitizenPortal

Recently, my work was highlighted as a reentry social worker with the New York Defender Services. #PublicDefense #Reentry #SocialWork #CriminalJustice @nyusilver.bsky.social Funny they would start with my experience as an @barackobama.bsky.social organizing fellow

California neglects constitutional duty to defend poor people | Opinion “California’s public defense is underfunded, causing crushing caseloads and unequal representation. Lawmakers must create oversight.”

@inequalitymedia.bsky.social California’s #publicdefense system under weight of chronic underfunding and neglect. More than a century after LA County opened nation’s 1st public defender’s office in 1913, Ca is now 1 of only 2 states without a statewide public defense
www.sacbee.com/opinion/op-e...

Franklin County warns of budget pressure after sales-tax shortfall, insurance spike and new caseload mandates County officials told commissioners they face roughly a $500,000 sales-tax shortfall and a 55% jump in liability insurance (about $680,000); they also discussed new caseload mandates that may require hiring or contracting additional public defense counsel.

Franklin County is grappling with a staggering $500,000 sales-tax shortfall and a shocking 55% spike in liability insurance, putting the 2026 budget in jeopardy!

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#FranklinCounty #WA #BudgetPlanning #CitizenPortal #FiscalResponsibility #PublicDefense #FranklinCountyBudget

#publicdefense