Impoverished people facing criminal charges have the right to public defense. But counties have struggled to foot the bill themselves for lower-level cases.
Beginning next month — and for the first time in nearly 30 years — nine Indiana counties will enjoy partial state reimbursement for spending on public defenders for destitute Hoosiers accused of misdemeanors.
The U.S. and Indiana constitutions afford those facing criminal charges the right to public defense when they can’t afford it themselves.