Sanders Published in Bacon’s Rebellion!

In another small step for Sandy but a giant leap for indigent defense in Virginia, the libertarian/conservative blog Bacon’s Rebellion (Jim Bacon’s blog) published Sandy’s post on how the Commonwealth can fully fund a statewide indigent defense system.

Protecting Virginia’s Forgotten Constitutional Right

I am not just touting myself – I am seeking to start a political constituency for more adequate indigent defense.  Sandy, the former Appellate Defender, is ready to go on radio, TV or be interviewed by other media to reach out.  Start today!  Advise your delegate or senator about the need for more adequate indigent defense.  Talk to the statewide candidates, too!  Can contact me at ssanders [at] varight.com

Try this on for size:

The good news is that the Commonwealth already has the resources to establish a more equal system: The judiciary in 2012 brought in an astounding $280 million more than it spent in expenses and personnel. Now, that may be an indictment of the amount of court costs but the funds are there. The budget just passed this session includes this policy language:

Given the continued concern about providing adequate compensation levels for court-appointed attorneys providing criminal indigent defense in the Commonwealth, the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court, in conjunction with the Governor, Attorney General, Indigent Defense Commission, representatives of the Indigent Defense Stakeholders Group and Chairmen of the House and Senate Courts of Justice Committees, shall continue to study and evaluate all available options to enhance Virginia’s Indigent Defense System.

The italicized language is indented in the original.