Senate passes bill updating public defender limits
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The state Senate has passed a bill that will make it easier for poor people to be represented by public defenders.
A similar bill is pending in the Assembly.
The measure passed by the Senate 21-12 updates income guidelines to get public defender representation for the first time since 1987.
That has resulted in many applicants who earn below the federal poverty level not qualifying for public defender representation.
The changes would take effect in June 2011. Under the new guidelines, someone who earns less than 115 percent of the federal poverty level, or about $260 a week, would qualify.
Estimates are the changes would result in nearly 13,000 more people a year qualifying for a public defender.
Jan 28, 2010 at 6:26 p.m.
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"There is a long history in the US underlining the right to counsel, most prominently the Supreme Court decision in Gideon.
We all just found out that Supreme Court decisions of past can be changed on the whim of the present Supreme's....
I'd like to add LOL but instead it is SAD.
Jan 28, 2010 at 4:30 p.m.
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That would be fun to watch, the congress trying to pass single payer legal service.
Jan 28, 2010 at 3:04 p.m.
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Nothing Is Free
Jan 28, 2010 at 2:48 p.m.
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There is a long history in the US underlining the right to counsel, most prominently the Supreme Court decision in Gideon.
http://www.nlada.org/About/About_History...
Jan 28, 2010 at 12:16 p.m.
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If everyone deserves Health Care, should not everyone deserve a free defense? Of course, you get what you pay for. jmo
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