Staffing shortages, crushing workloads make public defenders' jobs 'impossible'
“It’s a system that encourages unethical behavior," said one public defense attorney. "...It’s most certainly not justice. No one feels like it’s justice.”
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“It’s a system that encourages unethical behavior," said one public defense attorney. "...It’s most certainly not justice. No one feels like it’s justice.”
Public defense across the West suffers deep-rooted, decades-old problems. States have two solutions to consider: dole out more cash or shrink the criminal justice system.
Judges or elected officials in many counties nationwide have full oversight over public defense, a structure that can pressure public defenders to avoid making motions that may agitate a judge.
This story was originally published by Ambrook Research. Ranchers in Western states have had a predictably rocky relationship with predators like wolves
With a storm expected to bring 2 feet of snow to the Sierra and some snow down to the valley floor Thursday and Friday, the National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the greater Reno, Carson City and Carson Valley area.