Posted On:
June 3, 2008
Chief Justice Toal speaks out on Sanford's veto of indigent defense funding
According to the State newspaper Chief Justice Toal says
that Gov. Mark Sanford’s vetoes of millions of dollars for legal defense programs for the poor will clog state court dockets. Chief Justice Jean Toal also said the vetoes of $6.3 million to aid in indigent defense will increase the likelihood of appeals and saddle taxpayers with more spending to keep poor defendants in jails waiting for trials.
Sanford has said that his vetos, including the veto of funding for indigent defense, frees money needed for prisons and levels the playing field with prosecutors.
Edit: The House voted unanimously today to override the Governor's veto of the indigent defense bills, including the bills for funding of indigent defense of CDV and DUI. The Senate has not yet voted.
