The ABA Journal is profiling a story where the Lea County Public Defender is refusing to provide lawyers in some cases and is being fined as a result. The PD says that while he acknowledges his statutory duty to provide lawyers to represent those who qualify, he also is reminding the state that he has an ethical obligation to provide effective representation; because of funding cuts, he is struggling to do so. Very interesting story that highlights the under appreciation in some states of protecting the integrity of the constitution by providing the necesssary staff and funding to those who defend the criminally accused.
New Mexico Public Defender’s Office “Goes on Strike”
