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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 28, 2005

Senate Resolution 158 unanimously adopted
Would study provision of services to indigent criminal defendants

The State Senate yesterday (September 27) unanimously adopted Senate Resolution 158, a concurrent resolution introduced by Senator Pat Browne urging the creation of a bipartisan task force to study the existing system for providing services to indigent criminal defendants. 

The United States Supreme Court has held states responsible to provide counsel for indigent criminal defendants as a way to guarantee the protection of a fair trial.  However, the overwhelming caseload imposed on indigent criminal defense services has created an environment where attorney-client contact is minimal, individualized investigation is virtually nonexistent, and adequate preparation by attorneys becomes nearly impossible, Senator Browne said.

"Inequalities that are a direct result of funding gaps further compound an already serious problem," Senator Browne said.  "Pennsylvania is one of only three states that fail to provide state funding for indigent criminal defense services.  Many counties in Pennsylvania already face significant budgetary problems because of an increase in costs associated with the operation of the courts, yet these counties are saddled with the additional expense of providing counsel for indigent criminal defendants."

Senator Browne's resolution directs the Joint State Government Commission to establish a bipartisan task force to include representatives from the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts, Secretary of Budget and Administration, Attorney General, Auditor General, County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Public Defenders Association, as well as other professionals and experts in indigent criminal defense. 

This task force will be responsible for studying the existing system, analyzing the approach taken by other states, and making recommendations to the General Assembly according to their findings.

"Because equality is paramount to our justice system, we can no longer choose to ignore the disparities that have arisen from our current approach to indigent criminal defense," Senator Browne said. "North Carolina, Oregon, Vermont and Virginia have taken the lead to review systems in place in their respective states.  It is time Pennsylvania does the same."

Contact:

Stacey Mosca
(717) 787-1349