Digital Media Center
Bryant-Denny Stadium, Gate 61
920 Paul Bryant Drive
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0370
(800) 654-4262

© 2024 Alabama Public Radio
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Jefferson County To Create Public Defender System

Attorney General Luther Strange's office notified a Montgomery judge that it will use former FBI agent Bill Holmes of Annandale, Virginia, to testify in a trial involving VictoryLand casino in Shorter.
Attorney General Luther Strange's office notified a Montgomery judge that it will use former FBI agent Bill Holmes of Annandale, Virginia, to testify in a trial involving VictoryLand casino in Shorter.

Jefferson County courts are switching to a public defender system in a move meant to control costs.

Circuit Judge Scott Vowell said the new public defender's office will have a dedicated staff of attorneys to represent defendants who cannot afford their own attorney. Right now, judges appoint private lawyers to represent indigent defendants.

Vowell said creating the new office could take months. Officials estimate it will have 40 lawyers and support staff. The state spent $12.5 million last year providing lawyers to poor defendants in the city. State officials estimate that setting up a public defender's office could save about $3.5 million.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

 

News from Alabama Public Radio is a public service in association with the University of Alabama. We depend on your help to keep our programming on the air and online. Please consider supporting the news you rely on with a donation today. Every contribution, no matter the size, propels our vital coverage. Thank you.