Stim Money for More Probation Officers

Looks like Montana got about a million for new probation officers and is adding new police officers with fed stim. money. Guess no one really cares that the public defenders have to represent more people on petitions to revoke and those that are arrested. Everyone seems to have a way around budget woes expect us.

People Really Are Entitled to Counsel

The Great Falls Municipal Court was reminded this week that you really do get counsel and that the Constitution isn't really a suggestion, although some still act like its the "pirate code."

(If the Great Falls Tribune didn't charge for archive news articles you could still read about it.)

A Great Falls man accused of breaking a window 13 months ago must be provided with a public defender, even though the judge handling the case promised not to send him to jail.

State District Judge Kenneth R. Neill has overturned a refusal by Municipal Judge Nancy Luth to provide a public defender to Davin Dahl.

Law Enforcement for Fun and Profit

Cross posted at Rabid Sanity:

The esteemed Sen. Shockley has proposed SB 263 which deals with the imposition of Public Defender fees.
I see this as having a tremendously chilling effect on the rights of the poor to plead and maintain their innocence. The gist of the fees in part are:

(5) THE COURT SHALL INCLUDE PUBLIC DEFENDER COSTS IN THE JUDGMENT AT THE FOLLOWING RATES:
(A) MISDEMEANOR GUILTY PLEA, OTHER THAN A MISDEMEANOR UNDER 61-8-401, 61-8-406, OR 61-8-410, $250;
(B) MISDEMEANOR GUILTY PLEA UNDER 61-8-401, 61-8-406, OR 61-8-410, $500;
(C) MISDEMEANOR TRIAL, $1,000;
(D) FELONY GUILTY PLEA, $1,000; AND
(E) FELONY TRIAL, $1,000 PER DAY OF TRIAL."


Nothing like law enforcement for profit. I wonder if they will go public and sell shares. Would certainly do better than any stocks I have right now.