The MN Supreme Court steps in to pay for public defenders

(WDAY TV) - Public defenders often take a lot of heat because those men and women have huge caseloads and defend the accused and repeat offenders who can't pay. After statewide layoffs in the public defender's office and no help from the legislature, the state Supreme Court has now stepped in.

In a rare move, a split Supreme Court has ordered a 100-fee for all practicing attorneys when renewing their license every year. The result is 2 million dollars a year to subsidize public defenders offices statewide to help legal aid which helps the poor with civil cases.

“It is expected the 100-addtional fee for Minneosta attorneys will be temporary, two years, in hopes the legislature not the courts take on this issue to fund the Minnesota Public Defenders Office.“

The 100 dollar a year added fee for Minnesota attorneys is temporary. In hopes the legislature steps back in the picture to fund the public defender's office.

Bruce Ringstrom is a long time public defender in Clay County. He has witnessed the impact of cutbacks. He is glad something is being done to funnel dollars into the struggling public defender’s program.

“I think the legislature doesn't want to have to make the decision and be lobbied and they want it fixed for them and I think we are setting this up for Supreme Court to say you know what, it is a constitutional mandate and we are simply going to order the state of Minnesota to pay this and we don't care you are going to do it.”

Clients like James Coleman who is facing a criminal charge right now say public defenders become the only option in their cases.

“If I didn't have a public defender, I would have to defend myself because I cannot afford one.”

It has been an interesting debate, the Supreme Court levying a tax which has always been the role of the legislative branch. Meantime, the public defenders office gets an influx of cash after cutting staff while caseloads climb.

The Minnesota Bar Association has come out "in favor" of the 100-dollar fee with a sunset clause of 2-years.