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North Dakota’s federal court system faces a crisis as funding for private defense attorneys has run out, threatening legal representation for federal defendants, as first reported by Mary Steurer from the North Dakota Monitor.
The federal judiciary has no money to pay outside attorneys as of July 3rd and needs $116 million from Congress to sustain the program until October. About 40% of federal cases require private attorneys due to conflicts of interest with public defenders.
Ten attorneys have already resigned from North Dakota’s 100-member panel, including some of the state’s most experienced defense lawyers. The court owes $110,000 in pending payments to panel attorneys, who typically earn $175 per hour.
Federal Public Defender Jason Tupman warns that without reliable funding, trials will be postponed and court effectiveness will be compromised. Some attorneys continue working without pay out of commitment, but the funding gap threatens quality representation for the 90% of federal defendants who can’t afford private counsel.
Governor Kelly Armstrong plans to address the issue with Congress this week, calling it “a real problem.”
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