Richard Goemann's Letter to the Editor Published in the New York Times

NLADA Director of Defender Legal Services Addresses Georgia Public Defense Budget Woes

Date: September 19, 2007

Published in the New York Times on September 16, 2007

To the Editor:

Re “Official Quits in Georgia Public Defender Budget Dispute” (news article, Sept. 7):

The situation in Georgia comes down to three simple facts: First, the Constitution requires all states to provide qualified, effective legal counsel to those who cannot afford an attorney. Second, there are no exceptions. Third, failure to properly pay for public defense for those accused of capital crimes means that Georgia fails to meet this constitutional obligation.

It’s also a fact that providing qualified, effective counsel requires resources. Investment in public defense saves tax dollars by preventing costly trial delays, appeals and wrongful convictions.

By refusing to properly pay for the public defense system now, Georgia stands to incur far greater future costs at the expense of its citizens. Georgia’s residents deserve better from their justice system and their lawmakers.

Richard Goemann Washington, Sept. 10, 2007

The writer is the director of Defender Legal Services at the National Legal Aid & Defender Association.

New York Times Link http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/16/opinion/lweb15defender.html?ei=5070&en=03e7baa5faf627e0&ex=1190520000&adxnnl=1&emc=eta1&adxnnlx=1190236057-ICw0gm4kpS5yue6RK6iR8A