New York State Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I, D, WF-Sag Harbor) announced the passage of a bill that creates a unified system to ensure equitable funding for indigent legal services across the state (A.6202-C). The bill requires the state to gradually take over full funding of legal services for those in need of public defense services, providing counties with significant mandate relief.

“The law guarantees legal representation, no matter what your financial circumstances are. Unfortunately, cash-strapped counties are struggling to provide these services,” said Assemblyman Thiele. “This bill will help to ensure that all New Yorkers have access to quality public defense services without placing a burdensome cost on local governments.”

A recent settlement between the state and five counties (Onondaga, Ontario, Schuyler, Suffolk and Washington) calls for the state Office of Indigent Legal Services to oversee major reforms to the system of legal representation for defendants who cannot afford counsel in those counties. The Assembly’s legislation would similarly relieve all counties in the state of this financial burden. While federal law mandates that everyone is to be provided with legal representation, counties have struggled to properly fund and operate consistent and quality programs.

By requiring the state to fully fund indigent legal services, a more uniform, equitable system of public defense services will be established, which will help to ensure quality representation for the poor and end an unfunded mandate, noted Thiele.