Local
Public Defender Change To Be Signed Soon
MORE PEOPLE IN WISCONSIN WILL BE ABLE TO QUALIFY FOR COURT-APPOINTED LAWYERS IN WISCONSIN, UNDER A BILL PASSED LAST WEEK BY THE STATE ASSEMBLY.
THE GOVERNOR IS LIKELY TO SIGN THAT BILL SOON. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OVER 20 YEARS, THE BILL WOULD CHANGE INCOME REQUIREMENTS IN THE STATE WHICH HAVE KEPT SOME VERY POOR PEOPLE FROM HAVING A LAWYER IF THEY’RE ARRESTED FOR CRIMES. ROSEANN OLIVETO, AN ASSISTANT TO THE PUBLIC DEFENDER IN THE LA CROSSE-LANCASTER AREA, SAYS AREA COUNTIES WILL HAVE TO BE STUDIED TO SEE HOW MANY MORE DEFENDERS THEY CAN HIRE WHEN THE LAW TAKES EFFECT IN THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR.