A state agency that represents Alaskans who cannot afford their own attorneys intends this month to stop taking clients facing serious felony charges in parts of southwest and western Alaska due to staffing shortages.
Cherot said the agency has long struggled to recruit and retain qualified attorneys, challenges worsened by a pandemic-fueled backlog in criminal cases. Recent resignations in Bethel and Nome have left the agency without enough experienced attorneys to handle new complicated cases, she said. The agency has identified two private lawyers who may be willing to represent individuals charged in the Nome Superior Court but no additional private lawyers for Bethel cases.
The Legislature never intended for this office “to be the front line defense agency for the state. We are not staffed, funded, or structured to be,” Stinson wrote in an email.
The Justice department needs to be Investigated DOJPH
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Alaska public defenders will begin refusing cases in Nome and Bethel, citing staff shortageThe state's Public Defender Agency will stop accepting new clients facing serious felony charges in the Bethel and Nome Superior Courts because of a shortage of qualified attorneys. This is awful on so many levels. Indigent Alaskans deserve competent representation, even in remote communities. Especially in remote communities. Can't fund schools, can't attract police officers, can't buy eggs, can't get a lawyer ... Alaska's got ninety-nine real problems, but CCS get rich quick schemes shouldn't be one of them. no big deal we are giving away rights every day... who needs a right to an attorney ! esp with this country running SO FUCKING WELL RIGHT NOW!!!
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Public safety pension bill makes it through first hurdle in Alaska House, with many to comeA measure to create a new defined benefits pension plan for public safety employees cleared its first of four Alaska House committees Thursday, in a telling step for the legislation’s fate in a divided chamber.
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Alaska public safety officials release a draft policy to put body cameras on troopersThe Alaska Department of Public Safety has released a draft of its policy for state troopers to wear body-worn cameras, and it’s seeking public input on the proposal.
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Alaska State Troopers release body camera policy for public review as APD rollout remains in limboThe state Department of Public Safety plans to test the devices in Mat-Su and the Interior and on the Kenai Peninsula this spring. In the meantime, the Anchorage Police Department has no set date for putting body cameras into action despite growing public pressure to do so. AnchorageAction You have to ask yourself, who does this serve? The optics looks as if the law enforcement has plenty to hide. Also why would a cop volunteer his liability for his actions, if given the choice. They continue to escalate and harm people without repercussions. Police: They just don't understand the 'sacrifices' we make people make for the 'greater good'. Hello I believe the cameras should be used at all times when interacting with the public, not just when the officer believes it may be beneficial. Otherwise why bother? Shouldn't the cameras be used to protect both the officer and the public
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Alaska Public Safety officials release a draft policy to put body cameras on troopersThe Alaska Department of Public Safety has released a draft of its policy for state troopers to wear body cameras, and it’s asking the public to weigh in. about time. AKST's professionalism should always be highlighted. 🙂 They should have a program that periodically releases video of various interfacings. A better measure of the department by the public may be in the totality of professional behavior on display. If they turn off the video and/or sound, or cover up the camera, then they should be immediately charged for tampering with evidence!
Source: AKpublicnews - 🏆 387. / 55 Read more »
Cleveland public safety Chief Karrie Howard bars media from public City Council committee meetingOhio’s open meetings law requires that all public meetings, including council committee meetings, be “open to the public at all times.”
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