Thread by @radleybalko

Thread: I'm deleting these tweets in favor of this thread, with more explanation. I've now heard from public defenders in two offices who say they've been told they'll be furloughed, and were instructed to file for unemployment. But not all offices are furloughing.

It's being left up to the head of each public defender district. Baton Rouge and New Orleans, for example, are not furloughing any attorneys. Here's what's going on: Last week, the Louisiana Public Defender Board passed a resolution stating that because PD offices . . .

. . . in the state are funded in part with fines and fees from traffic tickets, the COVID-19 shutdown is putting many of the state's public defender districts at risk of insolvency (18 of the 42 districts). See Attached.

But because each district office also gets some other funding from parish governments and other sources, it's up to the head of each public defender district to decide how to proceed. Some are furloughing, some aren't.

So the district chiefs were sent a copy of the resolution, along with instructions on how furloughed staff can apply for paycheck protection. See attached. So while not *all* PDs in the state getting furloughed (my apologies for the initial tweet stating so) . . .

. . . the situation is still pretty dire. I've heard from several public defenders who say they'll continue working even if furloughed. But even the offices that aren't furloughing were already facing significant funding ...

... shortages before COVID-19. The additional blow of suspending the funding that comes from traffic ticket fees for the foreseeable future will only make things worse.

It was never a good idea to fund PD offices with fines from traffic offenses . . .

. . . for the very obvious reasons. But it's really hitting hard now. Courts are closed, so no fees. And obviously fewer people are driving, and cops aren't making stops, so there won't be much money even when courts resume.

I'll have more on this at the Washington Post.