Public Defenders

Long hours, heavy caseloads, and low pay exacerbates a root cause of a lack of public defenders in South Dakota. However, those in the position say there is both opportunity and reason to consider indigent work.

Indigent, or public defense, is in focus with the states’ new commission on the topic. Now that its work has begun, one public defender says the state has serious needs to address.

While every American is entitled to representation under the sixth amendment, reality is often much more complicated.