"Attorneys have long been appointed to serve without compensation, and doing so presents no constitutional problem,"
"at the direction of the court."
"is critical to ensuring effective represent —"
Court-appointed private attorneys on the Criminal Justice Act panel have not been paid since Defender Services funds ran out on July 3. The government shutdown prolonged the unprecedented funding lapse, leaving panel attorneys to cover case expenses out of pocket or stop taking federal court appointments. Prosecutors argued judges could compel uncompensated representation and referenced contempt penalties, while defense counsel urged that compensation is essential for effective representation. The funding crisis has produced motions to dismiss, judicial stays in some districts, and outright refusals to accept new court-appointed work in certain jurisdictions.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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