Some notable news and notes about federal and state public defense programs

I have seen a number of recent headlines about various challenges facing various federal and state public defender programs.  Here is a round up of headlines and links:

From the Charlotte Observer, “Nearly half of NC counties are ‘legal deserts.’ Public defender leader seeks change.”

From the Marshall Project, “For Many, a Lawyer Is a Luxury Out of Reach: Sixty years after a landmark Supreme Court ruling, the promise of legal representation for everyone is largely unrealized.”

Also from the Marshall Project, “Mississippi Says Poor Defendants Must Always Have a Lawyer. Few Courts Are Ready to Deliver.”

From the Maine Monitor, “State says defendants in 100 cases were without legal representation late last week: Maine defendants wait longer for lawyers in overburdened indigent defense system.”

From NPR, “Federal public defenders warn budget cuts may threaten ability to represent clients“

From the Oregon Capital Chronicle, “Oregon lawmakers put $96 million toward public defender crisis: More than 300 people sit in county jails without representation as lawmakers put money toward more public defenders and better pay”