The state of New York has settled an ACLU lawsuit over an inadequate system of public defenders in a multi-million-dollar agreement.

The settlement, announced Tuesday, arises from a lawsuit filed 7 1/2 years ago by the New York Civil Liberties Union. Last month, an NYCLU report linked to the lawsuit detailed how poor defendants across the state are often shuffled through the court system with little to no legal representation. This results in defendants waiting in jail for months before reaching a plea bargain or going to trial.

During that time, they can lose their homes, their jobs and, in some cases, are behind bars when family members die.

Tuesday’s settlement ensures that public defenders and their clients are in more regular communication both inside and outside the court. It also promotes the use of expert witnesses and investigators by public defenders.

In addition, the settlement increases the eligibility for public defense. Previously, some counties set minimum-income thresholds that were so drastically low that even a single mother in Washington County earning just over $10,000 a year, for example, was denied public legal counsel.

This news came the day I happened to mention discussions underway in Arkansas about the potential for a civil rights lawsuit in Arkansas over the inadequate public defender system and legislative discussion of a budget proposal for the Public Defenders Commission that, while providing a substantial increase in staff, still likely falls short of meeting needs.

Advertisement

Be a Part of the Fight

Step up and make a difference by subscribing or donating to the Arkansas Times, the progressive, alternative newspaper in Little Rock that's been fighting for truth for 50 years. Our tough, determined, and feisty journalism has earned us over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts, all of whom value our commitment to holding the powerful accountable. But we need your help to do even more. By subscribing or donating, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be supporting our efforts to hire more writers and expand our coverage. Join us in the fight for truth by subscribing or donating to the Arkansas Times today.

Previous article Thriller ‘Wait Until Dark’ comes to Rep Next article Lawsuit fails to stop Fayetteville election on civil rights ordinance