“I am reaching out on behalf of the 13th Judicial Circuit [now the 8th Judicial Circuit], to make you aware of a crisis in Kanawha County which directly impacts access to justice in our community. Within the last 10 years, the number of lawyers willing to serve as Court Appointed Counsel for criminal defendants (both misdemeanor and felony), Juvenile Abuse and Neglect, Guardians ad Litem, and Juvenile criminal matters has gone from an estimated 63 to 11. Kanawha County is currently in a situation where indigent defendants are in imminent danger of being denied their basic Constitutional rights and children have no representation in situations of abuse and neglect.” Judge Maryclaire Akers 13th Judicial Circuit December 30, 2024.
Loading the full story…
