In many states across the country the public defender system is collapsing, ironically the worst of it is in Florida where Gideon first challendged the court for his right to a lawyer. State budgets for the public defender's offices are being trimmed around the country with PDs taking on more and more cases at the same time. Something must be done to preserve this crucial right.


The best solution I can think of is that well-off lawyers should work some more pro-bono hours. The states can truly not afford to pay anyone else.

When the states pay for an attorney's education, then they can expect them to work more pro bono cases, otherwise, I'm not for making ANYONE work for nothing.

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"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming "WOO HOO, What a Ride!"

I gotta' go with Mrs. M on this one.

If the State hasn't paid for an attorney's education, it shouldn't be able to compel an attorney to work for free...

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Science flies you to the moon.

Religion flies you into buildings.

Well there's a difference between expecting something and requiring it. The bar association already recommends that lawyers work a certain number of pro bono hours per year. I do remember reading an article that said something to the effect that most large firms fall well short of the recommended target. I'm sure there must be a creative way to encourage firms to commit more to pro bono work without actually mandating anything.

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"I am certain of nothing but the holiness of the heart's affections and the truth of imagination. What the imagination seizes as beauty must be truth - whether it existed before or not."

-John Keats

I agree with Mrs. M - Even take it one step further and expand state funding for law students, with the explicit understanding that they will be required to take on a certain amount of "community service" cases in return. If you have the luxury of being able to pay for your education without gov. help, you owe the state nothing.

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"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb discussing what's for dinner.
Liberty is a well armed lamb willing to contest the majority decision!" ~ Benjamin Franklin
"Diplomacy is the art of saying Nice Doggie! while you're looking for a rock. ~ Wynn Catlin
"There are no innocent civilians." - Gerneral Curtis Lemay. A.K.A Bombs away Lemay

When we end the insanity of the "war on drugs" it will reduce caseloads so dramatically that the justice system will be able to cope with this issue with existing staff and funding.

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A nation of slaves is always prepared to applaud the clemency of their master, who, in the abuse of absolute power, does not proceed to the last extremes of injustice and oppression.
Edward Gibbon

I have a cousin who wanted to be a doctor, but couldn't afford medical school here in the States. He ended up going to medical school in Mexico, with the total bill being paid for by the Mexican government.

In return for his education, he agree to spend three years working for, essentially, nothing; receiving only per diem. He worked in the poor areas of the interior of the country as well as resort areas like Acapulco and Cabo San Lucas.

These days, some 25 years later, he doesn't regret a minute of it...

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Science flies you to the moon.

Religion flies you into buildings.

If the state is too cheap to provide a lawyer, the criminal walks.

See how fast taxpayers start having legislators re-prioritize... or not.

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Socialism doesn't create a rising tide that lifts all boats. It drains the lake and teaches the boat riders not to help themselves by rowing.

Jesus loves you, allah wants you dead

"Every government interference in the economy consists of giving an unearned benefit, extorted by force, to some men at the expense of others."

Ayn Rand

Here's an idea! Poor people can stop committing crimes.

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I can picture in my mind a world without war, a world without hate. And I can picture us attacking that world, because they'd never expect it.

Of course this would be the most effective and pro-liberty solution, but we all know common sense has no place in government.

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"I am certain of nothing but the holiness of the heart's affections and the truth of imagination. What the imagination seizes as beauty must be truth - whether it existed before or not."

-John Keats

Here is another idea. To qualify for a state attorney, you can't buy any lottery tickets, liqour, weed, or cigarettes. That money will go to pay for the attorney. The average perp probably drops at least $500/month on that shit alone. Beer, Buds and butts are expensive habits!! Don't tell me most of these chumps can't afford a lawyer.....

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I can picture in my mind a world without war, a world without hate. And I can picture us attacking that world, because they'd never expect it.

Uh, $500/month won't even get you a lawyer's business card.

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That sounds pretty good - It was a win-win for your cousin and for Mexico, I'd love to see something like that implimented here.

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"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb discussing what's for dinner.
Liberty is a well armed lamb willing to contest the majority decision!" ~ Benjamin Franklin
"Diplomacy is the art of saying Nice Doggie! while you're looking for a rock. ~ Wynn Catlin
"There are no innocent civilians." - Gerneral Curtis Lemay. A.K.A Bombs away Lemay

Some of the hospitals have programs for continuing education for CNA's and LPN's. They pay for you to go to school and you agree to work for them for a given amount of time.

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"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming "WOO HOO, What a Ride!"

I'm afraid we'll never see a reasonable end to such an absurd war.

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"Inflation is the opium of the masses." - Henry Hazlitt