Canyon County eyes options for indigent defendants

NAMPA (AP) - A committee of legal professionals is recommending Canyon County in southwest Idaho change how it provides defense attorneys for indigent defendants.

The committee suggested the county create an in-house public defender model rather than continue contracting defense duties out to Meridian-based Mimura Law Office. Its report found that the county might have to increase its public defender budget by $600,000 or face a lawsuit by the American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho.

The county currently pays Mimura $2.2 million annually. The committee said creating an in-house public defender office will cost about $2.8 million.

"It's so important for the county and the state to reform the system so that Idahoans who can't afford their own private attorneys are able to still have fair representation in the criminal justice system," said ACLU communication coordinator Leo Morales.

Third District Judge Molly Huskey chaired the committee that included other judges and attorneys. County Commissioner Craig Hanson said county leaders will examine their options.

The committee recommended the public defender office have a staff of 21 attorneys and 13 administrative and support positions.

The Canyon County prosecuting attorney's office has 66 workers, including 28 lawyers, at a cost of slightly under $5 million. Prosecuting Attorney Bryan Taylor said his office also represents the county in civil cases besides prosecuting criminal cases.