Today, Hunter sat down with once again with Travis Finck, the Executive Director of the North Dakota Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents. This time, we discuss the precarious place that Public Defense is in the state. With major staffing shortfalls, the full time Public Defenders have massive vacancy rates, and with low contract pay, there are only so many private counsels willing to take on attorneys. What can be done to avert a crisis?  Hopefully it starts with the legislatures recent realization that there just might be a crisis if they continue to do nothing.

 

Guests:

Travis Finck, Executive Director, North Dakota Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents

Resources:

Link to Legislative Meeting with Video, Presentation and Report (video starts at 2:28)

https://ndlegis.gov/events/2024/03/07/judiciary-committee

News Coverage of the Issues

https://northdakotamonitor.com/2024/03/14/public-defenders-underpaid-overworked-north-dakota-report-says/

https://bismarcktribune.com/news/state-regional/crime-courts/public-defenders-underpaid-overworked-north-dakota-report-says/article_76910028-f819-11ee-a575-8f6da532994a.html

ND CLCI Website

https://www.indigents.nd.gov/

 

 

Contact Hunter Parnell:                                            

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 *As a reminder, any statements made on the show do not reflect the views or policies of the Colorado Office of the State Public Defender*