Missouri judge says public defender waitlist unfair
COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) A Missouri judge says the wait time for some poor defendants to get legal help is unconstitutional.
Circuit Judge Will Hickle in an order said a group of poor defendants likely will succeed in a class-action lawsuit against the state.
The defendants attorneys say some waited in jail for months before getting public defenders.
Missouri public defenders have been overwhelmed for years, prompting a waiting list for state-paid legal help.
But Director Mary Fox says she s hopeful state lawmakers will increase the office s budget to reduce wait times.
Hickle is delaying a final ruling to give lawmakers time to act.
Credit DonkeyHotey / Flickr
COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) A Missouri judge says the wait time for some poor defendants to get legal help is unconstitutional. Circuit Judge Will Hickle in an order said a group of poor defendants likely will succeed in a class-action lawsuit against the state. The defendants attorneys say some waited in jail for months before getting public defenders. Missouri public defenders have been overwhelmed for years, prompting a waiting list for state-paid legal help. But Director Mary Fox says she s hopeful state lawmakers will increase the office s budget to reduce wait times. Hickle is delaying a final ruling to give lawmakers time to act.
Circuit Judge Will Hickle in an order last week wrote that a group of poor defendants likely will succeed in their class-action lawsuit against the state.
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