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Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Ind. Courts - Steuben County public defenders made full-time
Northeast Indiana's WLKI is reporting:
(ANGOLA) - After being told the county's public defender program was not in state compliance, the Steuben County Council yesterday morning approved a request to change the status of two public defenders from part time to full time. The Council trimmed the number of public defenders during belt tightening on the 2006 budget from seven to five much to the chagrin of the local legal community. Program Coordinator Linda Wagoner from the Public Defenders Board pointed out figures which indicated an increase in the number of criminal cases that have been filed in the last couple of years. Wagoner said turning the two part timers into full time public defenders is one option the county could pursue to keep the program in compliance and thus be reimbursed by the state. The appropriation for the change in status of the two public defenders would have to be approved at the January County Council meeting.
Posted by Marcia Oddi on November 15, 2006 10:10 AM
Posted to Indiana Courts