Franklin Co. Leaders Asking State for Help with Public Defense Costs
KENNEWICK, Wash. -- Crippled by court costs, Franklin County looks to the state for help.
The Office of Public Defense spent more than $500,000 defending suspect killers last year. That's five times more than expected. The lion's share of that, $300,000, was spent defending accused murdered Vicente Ruiz alone. He's since been convicted.
County leaders told KEPR they plan to cut programs or raise your taxes to compensate for the costs. Instead, they plan to ask the state to help pay the cost.
"I sure hope the state does recognize the burden this case does place on Franklin County," said Eric Hsu, Indigent Defense Coordinator for the Office of Public Defense (OPD) for Benton and Franklin Counties.
To get the funding, counties have to work for it. The state ranks counties by the impact an average murder case had on the overall budget.
In 2009, Franklin County was ranked in the top three for impact. Sounds like a good candidate but after thorough applications, only received a fraction what they asked for. Of more than $155,000 Franklin County claimed in 2009, county leaders only received $37,000. Benton County also applied but didn't get a dime.
"That's why this year, we've taken the tact of making sure the Legislature understands," said Hsu.
Local leaders are writing letters and making trips to Olympia to sway decision-makers. There is some concern the pot is whittling away.
"While we certainly hope that there's money to give, no one's holding their breath," Hsu said.
So KEPR asked, what will Franklin County do if it doesn't get reimbursed? Commissioner Brad Peck expects to dip into the rainy day fund and then eventually build those reserves back up.
"We'll try to make the best of what we have," Hsu said.
KEPR also found Yakima County has eight times the defense costs for indigent defendants. The recently county had 40 murder trials in one year.
The Office of Public Defense spent more than $500,000 defending suspect killers last year. That's five times more than expected. The lion's share of that, $300,000, was spent defending accused murdered Vicente Ruiz alone. He's since been convicted.
County leaders told KEPR they plan to cut programs or raise your taxes to compensate for the costs. Instead, they plan to ask the state to help pay the cost.
"I sure hope the state does recognize the burden this case does place on Franklin County," said Eric Hsu, Indigent Defense Coordinator for the Office of Public Defense (OPD) for Benton and Franklin Counties.
To get the funding, counties have to work for it. The state ranks counties by the impact an average murder case had on the overall budget.
In 2009, Franklin County was ranked in the top three for impact. Sounds like a good candidate but after thorough applications, only received a fraction what they asked for. Of more than $155,000 Franklin County claimed in 2009, county leaders only received $37,000. Benton County also applied but didn't get a dime.
"That's why this year, we've taken the tact of making sure the Legislature understands," said Hsu.
Local leaders are writing letters and making trips to Olympia to sway decision-makers. There is some concern the pot is whittling away.
"While we certainly hope that there's money to give, no one's holding their breath," Hsu said.
So KEPR asked, what will Franklin County do if it doesn't get reimbursed? Commissioner Brad Peck expects to dip into the rainy day fund and then eventually build those reserves back up.
"We'll try to make the best of what we have," Hsu said.
KEPR also found Yakima County has eight times the defense costs for indigent defendants. The recently county had 40 murder trials in one year.
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