SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 29
(By Senator Craigo, Anderson, Bailey, Chafin, Helmick, Jackson, Love, Plymale, Prezioso, Macnaughtan, Sharpe, Walker, Boley, Dugan, McKenzie, Minear and Sprouse)

(Originating in the Committee on Finance)

Requesting the joint committee on government and finance to make a study of the most practical and fiscally responsible method of providing legal services to indigent defendants, including having one public defender in each county.

Whereas, Public defender services runs short of money each year to pay for legal services provided to indigent defendants; and
Whereas, The costs of indigent defendant legal services has been growing by six and one-half million dollars per year; and
Whereas, The providing of indigent defendant legal services by full-time employees may be less expensive than paying private attorneys for these services; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the joint committee on government and finance is hereby requested to make a study of the most practical and fiscally responsible method of providing legal services to indigent defendants, including having one public defender in each county; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the joint committee on government and finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 1998, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the jJoint cCommittee on gGovernment and fFinance.