Idaho Briefs March 26, 2013

Panel: Time to study the public defender system

BOISE - Members of an Idaho Senate panel believe it's time to take a closer look at the condition of the state's public defender system.

The network of public defenders has been plagued by staffing shortages in recent years and criticized by civil rights groups as insufficient in some counties.

The Senate Judiciary and Rules committee voted Monday to approve a resolution calling for the creation of a legislative committee to study the issue this summer.

Caldwell Republican Rep. Darrell Bolz said Idaho's Criminal Justice Commission has also found some problems, including excessive caseloads.

He said only three counties have public defenders offices. The other counties, he said, regularly use contract attorneys to complete public defense work.

The resolution already by passed the House now heads to the Senate floor.

'Bujak' conflict of interest bill clears House

BOISE - The measure known around the Capitol as the "Bujak bill" passed the House as lawmakers seek to eliminate potential conflicts of interest.

The bill that cleared the chamber 64-1 Monday gives the Idaho attorney general's office authority to conduct the initial investigation into an allegation of misconduct against a county prosecutor or members of a local county commission.

Currently, county prosecutors handle those complaints.

The bill was drafted by lawmakers in Canyon County, where former prosecutor John Bujak has been embroiled in accusations of misusing public money and other transgressions.

Rep. Gayle Batt of Wilder says the bottom line is this: No public official should decide if they should make an ethics investigation on themselves or on their client, the county commission.

- Associated Press