OGDEN, Utah (AP) — Gov. Gary Herbert has proposed adding $5 million per year to Utah’s public-defender system, a move that advocates say would be a step toward fixing a system can fall short for people who are accused of crimes but can’t afford their own lawyer.
The Standard-Examiner reports the request comes after the state was sharply criticized in a 2015 report by the Sixth Amendment Center, which found it was one of just two states that left public-defender funding entirely up to local governments.
Utah has since created a commission to work toward improving indigent defense and bolstered that funding through grants.
Its executive director, Joanna Landau, says the state’s funding for public defenders is still relatively low compared to other states. She says governor’s funding request is a “measured” improvement.
