« Courts - More on: 7th Circuit affirms CD Illinois ruling dismissing suit to stop Illinois base closure | Main | Law - Boston law firm uses web videos to attract new associates »
Friday, July 27, 2007
Ind. Courts - Porter judge may order state to release court funding
Bob Kasarda reports today in the NWI Tmes:
VALPARAISO | Local judges don't typically order state officials around.But that is exactly what Porter Superior Judge Bill Alexa is considering if the state does not approve his request for an additional $25,000 for his court's pauper fund, which is used to cover legal expenses of defendants without money.
The issue arose during a hearing Thursday involving accused rapist Mark Hurst of Portage.
Porter County Public Defender Tony Bertig told the judge Hurst has nothing to wear during next week's trail other than his jail garb.
Alexa said he typically would dip into his pauper's fund to purchase clothing in these cases, but the fund is already $4,000 in the red. He asked Bertig to purchase the clothing and seek reimbursement later from the court.
Alexa said the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance was sitting on his request for additional funding and he was considering ordering the agency to approve the money.
A spokesperson for Local Government Finance was looking into the issue Thursday.
During a break in Thursday's hearing, Alexa said the $25,000 balance in his pauper fund was nearly wiped out this year by $16,000 in state public defender fees.
The judge said he won approval a month ago for another $25,000 from the county council, but the state agency has not yet given final approval for the funds.
Alexa said he thinks he might have the power to order the state agency to approve the funding request or at least order the county council to release the money and deal with the state later.
Posted by Marcia Oddi on July 27, 2007 08:38 AM
Posted to Indiana Courts