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Commissioners approve additional funds for court-appointed attorneys after debate over costs and eligibility
Summary
The board approved two additional appropriations—one revised to $55,000 and another for $50,000—to cover court-appointed (pauper) attorney fees. Commissioners and an attorney debated eligibility rules and whether a public defender model or closer oversight could cut annual costs (discussed figures ranged from $757,000 to more than $800,000).
Daviess County commissioners approved two additional appropriations to cover court‑appointed attorney fees, following an extended discussion about the county’s indigent-defense costs and eligibility screening.
The board considered a revised request of $55,000 from one court and $50,000 from another to fund pauper (court‑appointed) attorney fees for the remainder of the year. A county official said spending on appointed counsel has reached roughly $757,000 so far this year; another participant described the total as approaching or exceeding $800,000 when related charges are included.
At the meeting, an unidentified attorney told the board that judges commonly rely on a short line of questioning in court rather than detailed financial documentation to determine pauper eligibility. “They just ask questions of the person in court,” the attorney said, describing the current practice as offering minimal documentation. The speaker added that prosecutors had tried to challenge pauper status in at least one pending case, which the attorney said felt like an attempt to gain leverage in plea negotiations.
Commissioners suggested reviewing alternative models — including the public‑defender office used in Greene County — to evaluate whether the county could save money or administer indigent defense more efficiently. One commissioner recommended talking with judges and the prosecutor to identify reforms and to consider whether a county-run public defender or staff attorney would be more cost‑effective.
After debate, the commissioners moved and carried the appropriations with a caveat that they would meet before approving further requests next year to consider system reforms and better controls over costs. The meeting record shows no change to court eligibility rules; commissioners directed staff to follow up with judges and the prosecutor’s office about eligibility criteria and possible structural changes.
