Comments on: A Wacky Socialist Utopian Idea I can get behind: Public Defenders For All

By: Yet another installment in an unintentional series on Justice and Criminal Defense | People v. State

Sat, 01 Jan 2011 18:50:46 +0000

[…] who can pay their fees in full, and will decline to represent those who can’t (although in a better system this wouldn’t be so much of an issue). We regularly and necessarily pick and choose our […]

By: Sorry, but Justice is all there is | People v. State

Sorry, but Justice is all there is | People v. State — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 17:16:46 +0000

[…] They won’t vote in favor of increased spending for public defenders offices, let alone “public defenders for all.” If they’re in law school, they’ll be less likely to go into criminal defense. If they […]

By: John Kindley

John Kindley — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 23:11:26 +0000

Good points, although I don’t think they constitute good reasons for not having such a “voucher system.” Defendants SHOULD have a choice in who represents them.

By: marco

marco — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 21:41:39 +0000

I have heard that about 80% of those charged with felonies do not bond out, and therefore, have a court appointed lawyer.

I also know that many who do bond out get a court appointed lawyer.

The key is that the lawyer is appointed and the client has no CHOICE in who the judge appoints.

The above proposal is a voucher system where the client would pay the lawyer of his/her choice with a voucher of X amount of money. Such a system exists with Medicare and Medicaid and would not be considered radical. However, the system would not be efficient for the judges because the client would need to have extra time to find a lawyer THAT accepts these vouchers. Also, the judges would have NO control over who practices before his/her honor. Lastly, the public would find it offensive because the criminally accused (most of whom are guilty) would have a say or a right to determine who defends him/her with taxpayers money. It is much less offensive that a judge or the PD’s office does the dirty work because at least the criminal has no choice in who will defend him/her unless he/she has all of the money to go out and get her/his own lawyer.