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Sheridan meeting highlights public‑defender shortages; judges may assign cases to private lawyers
Summary
Commissioners reported an extreme shortage in the Public Defender’s Office in Gillette and elsewhere, with judges planning to assign cases to private attorneys at statutory appointment rates; the Board discussed reimbursement procedures and district staffing shortfalls.
Vice President Alison O. Gee raised an urgent staffing issue at the April 11 Wyoming State Bar Board meeting in Sheridan: local judges in Gillette intend to begin assigning cases to private attorneys because of acute shortages in the Public Defender’s Office.
Gee said the involuntary appointment pay is $100 per hour for in‑court appearances, with lower pay for out‑of‑court work, and that attorneys seeking reimbursement must submit an affidavit. Commissioner Kyle A. Ferris said his Sixth Judicial District has lost two public defenders and indicated the county is considering adding two positions in the Campbell County Attorney’s Office to help manage workload.
Board members agreed the situation threatens access to counsel for indigent defendants and discussed the administrative burden on appointed counsel, reimbursement logistics and the risk of burnout for defenders. No formal Board policy or funding decision was made at the meeting; commissioners asked staff to continue monitoring and to raise the issue in district outreach.
Why this matters: shortfalls in public‑defense staffing can delay cases, increase pressure on appointed counsel and affect trial readiness in rural districts. The Board flagged the problem as a matter for further attention and possible advocacy at local or state levels.
