Statehouse News Bureau

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Final Budget Likely To Bring More Money To Counties For Indigent Defense

By Karen Kasler

Published June 25, 2019 at 8:26 PM EDT

The Franklin County Courthouse in Columbus [Ohio Supreme Court] — The Franklin County Courthouse in Columbus

There are a lot of differences that lawmakers are working out in the House and Senate versions of the two-year state budget. But one thing that’s in both – a lot more funding to pay for defense of very low-income defendants in county courts.

Counties have been paying around 55 percent of indigent defense costs. Those costs are the obligation of states to pay, according to a 1963 U. S. Supreme Court decision.

Gov. Mike DeWine’s budget included $60 million a year to reimburse them for those costs, and the House and Senate added another $35 million a year.

County Commissioners Association of Ohio president Julie Ehmann of Shelby County said indigent defense is so expensive that the money doesn’t cover all costs in the first year.

“But with all conditions remaining the same, it would fully fund us in the second year. That is just fabulous, so we’re really pleased about that," Ehmann said.

Ehmann said says indigent defenses costs were her group’s top priority in this budget, and this money would free up cash that counties can use on infrastructure and other projects.