Since July, Sacramento defense attorneys have been exhausted from funds for private attorney funds designated by the federal government for the court, affecting their ability to represent defendants who cannot afford legal counsel. “We missed three months’ salary and couldn’t see the final salary,” said Dina Santos, a lawyer for the Criminal Justice Acts Group. The funds for these lawyers come from funds approved by Congress, and payments are still frozen until new funds are authorized. “We expect that once they get a new budget in October, we will get full payments, but now the government is closed and there is no payment,” Santos said. Support staff such as investigators and paralegals are also free of charge. Earlier this month, $8.5 million has been released to the group lawyers fund, allowing partial payments. Attorney Mark Reichel noted that he received about 10% of what he owed. 85% of small group lawyers work in small companies or practices, worried about how long they can continue without full compensation. Reihill said the unpaid stretch also threatens the defendant's rights to constitutional counsel. “We have a constitution that ensures that defendants have the right to lawyers, and we are slowly eroding all of these rights we believe and expect to be maintained,” Santos said. “I won't take any more cases unless I'm guaranteed I'll be paid.” CJA lawyers are responsible for 40% of all criminal cases in the country, and according to the U.S. court, the work cannot be simply transferred to an already unwise federal defense organization. Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube and subscribe to our channel
Sacramento, California –
Sacramento defense attorneys have been unpaid since July after their experience in running private lawyer funds designated by the federal government for courts, affecting their ability to represent defendants who cannot afford legal counsel.
“We missed three months of salary,” said Dina Santos, a lawyer for the Criminal Acts Group.
The funds for these lawyers come from funds approved by Congress, and payments are still frozen until new funds are authorized.
“We hope that after they get a new budget in October, we will get all payments, but now the government is closed and there are no payments,” Santos said.
Financial pressure is not limited to lawyers; support staff such as investigators and paralegals are also free of charge.
Earlier this month, $8.5 million has been released to the group lawyers fund, allowing partial payments. Attorney Mark Reichel noted that he received about 10% of the debt.
85% of group lawyers work in small companies or solo practices, so worrying about how long they can continue without full compensation.
“Some lawyers are talking about not moving forward and demanding removal from the case,” Reihill said.
This unpaid stretch also threatens the defendant's legal counsel's constitutional rights.
“We have a constitution that ensures that the defendants have the right to lawyers, and we are slowly eroding all of these rights, and we all believe and expect to be maintained,” Santos said.
If the panel attorney starts withdrawing, criminal cases may face significant delays.
“I won't take any more cases unless I'm guaranteed I'll be paid,” Reicher said.
CJA lawyers are responsible for 40% of all criminal cases in the country, and according to the U.S. court, the work cannot be simply transferred to an already understaffed federal defense counsel organization.
During the government shutdown, it was attempted to comment to the agency because they did not provide statements because they did not provide media releases.
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