Des Moines, Iowa — Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Susan Christensen says there’s a critical shortage of Iowa attorneys who’ll represent indigent defendants and it’s leading to trial delays.
According to Christensen, there are only four contract attorneys in Shelby County where she lives. And, across the state, there are only 600 lawyers willing to represent indigent defendants.
Christensen says attorneys tell her the shortage is even worse in juvenile court.
Christensen is calling on legislators to increase the hourly pay for attorneys appointed to represent indigent defendants, and for paying them for mileage as many represent clients in several counties, sometimes on the same day. Christensen has issued an order giving judges discretion to hold hearings online rather than in-person to deal with some of the mileage challenges contract attorneys face, particularly in rural Iowa.
Christensen, who delivered the annual “Condition of the Judiciary” address on January 11th, and she told legislators only 12 percent of Iowa attorneys are willing to represent indigent defendants. Christensen also told lawmakers she’s appointed a task force to examine how to address the shortage of court reporters. The chief justice says an accurate transcript of hearings and trial is critical to delivering justice, but there’s a growing number of retirements and fewer people entering the profession.
