The Arkansas Public Defender Commission is facing potential layoffs of more than 30 attorneys due to a lack of funding to process a backlog of more than 5,000 cases caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The commission is requesting $1.25 million from state lawmakers to address the backlog, which has been accumulating since March 2020.
The request for funding went before the Arkansas Legislative Council’s Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review subcommittee, but was deferred for further discussion. Some members expressed concerns that the commission had not effectively used the $4.5 million in federal funds received two years ago to address the backlog.
If the layoffs occur, the cases handled by the attorneys would be passed on to local public defender offices in the state. The commission received the $4.5 million in 2022 to fund up to 45 part-time public defender positions, but due to bureaucratic hurdles, the hiring was capped at 37 positions.
In addition to the public defender funding request, the State Board of Election Commissioners also received approval for $500,000 in state funds to hire legal representation in an ongoing federal court case over a rule requiring in-person signatures on Arkansas voter registration forms. The rule has been criticized for limiting electronic signatures, especially affecting first-time voters, rural residents, and people with disabilities.
The funding requests will be reviewed by the full Legislative Council on Friday, with hopes to prevent the layoffs and address the voter registration controversy. The commission and the election board are seeking support from state lawmakers to ensure the effective processing of cases and fair voter registration practices in Arkansas.
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