170 Wait Behind Bars Statewide Without a Public Defender, Lawmakers Propose New Fixes corvallisadvocate.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from corvallisadvocate.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The shortage of defense lawyers has deprived hundreds of people of their constitutional right to a speedy trial. While waiting for an attorney, they’ve had to put their lives on hold, while others, perhaps a dozen every month in Multnomah County alone, have had their cases dismissed, including for felonies.
“It’s a system that encourages unethical behavior," said one public defense attorney. ".It’s most certainly not justice. No one feels like it’s justice.”
“It’s a system that encourages unethical behavior," said one public defense attorney. ".It’s most certainly not justice. No one feels like it’s justice.”