🔍 Spotlight on Justice: ACLU Challenges Pennsylvania’s Public Defender Funding ⚖️ In a landmark move, our partner ACLU of Pennsylvania has filed a lawsuit claiming that Pennsylvania violates the constitutional rights of more than 100,000 criminal defendants every year. The suit was filed on behalf of 17 people, many of whom have been jailed while awaiting trial for months. They claim public defenders have failed to represent them properly and that the state has neglected its constitutional duty to provide representation. This case highlights a critical issue in our justice system: the right to adequate legal representation for all. We celebrate ACLU-PA’s efforts and hard work in advocating for this matter. 📜 Key Points: - “The U.S. and Pennsylvania constitutions both provide the right to counsel for anyone charged with a crime and facing jail time,” said Witold Walczak, ACLU-PA Legal Director. - Pennsylvania is one of the few states that does not provide state funding for public defense, leaving counties to shoulder the financial burden. - The consequences? Overburdened public defenders, inadequate defense for low-income individuals, and a justice system that fails to serve everyone equally. 🔗https://lnkd.in/eZURsigj
The majority of PA's public defender offices are in financial crisis because they are forced to rely on county tax dollars for funding. That's why ACLU-PA has filed one of its biggest lawsuits in years over the lack of adequate state funding for indigent defense.
