NCJ Number
105319
Date Published
1986
Length
179 pages
Annotation
Representatives of the Judicial Conference, Federal Public and Community Defenders, and the National Legal Aid and Defender Association testify in support of H.R. 3004, which provides for the expanded representation of criminal defendants, material witnesses, and others in Federal court when defendants and others cannot afford representation.
Abstract
The Hon. Thomas MacBride, representing the Judicial Conference, focuses primarily on support for the bill's adjustment of the hourly rate and compensation structure of court-appointed defense attorneys to ensure that in-court and out-of-court attorney work are properly compensated. Roland Dahlin, representing the Federal Public and Community Defenders, supports the bill, particularly favoring mandatory representation for material witnesses in custody and proposed compensation increases for a vareity of defense services. Dahlin argues for malpractice protection for Federal public and commercial defenders and proposes that defenders have control over their own training funds under H.R. 3004. Bonnie Brigance Leadbetter, representing the National Legal Aid and Defender Association, notes the significance of eliminating the discrepancy between compensation for time spent in court and time spent out of court. Appendixes contain legislative materials and relevant correspondence.