{"id":94350,"date":"2025-06-25T15:19:18","date_gmt":"2025-06-25T19:19:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/masterzradio.net\/?p=94350"},"modified":"2025-06-25T15:19:18","modified_gmt":"2025-06-25T19:19:18","slug":"nine-indiana-counties-including-wabash-chosen-for-misdemeanor-defense-reimbursement-pilot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/masterzradio.net\/?p=94350","title":{"rendered":"Nine Indiana counties, including Wabash, chosen for misdemeanor defense reimbursement pilot"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\">\t\r\njQuery(document).ready(function () {var html = '<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block\" data-ad-format=\"fluid\" data-ad-layout-key=\"-gw-3+1f-3d+2z\" data-ad-client=\"0531879237494766\" data-ad-slot=\"5600453644\"><\/ins><script>(adsbygoogle=window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});<\\\/script><\/br>';\r\n    jQuery(html).insertAfter(\".elementor-widget-theme-post-content\");\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\tvar html1 = '<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block\" data-ad-format=\"autorelaxed\" data-ad-client=\"0531879237494766\" data-ad-slot=\"9212395598\"><\/ins><script>(adsbygoogle=window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});<\\\/script><\/br>';\r\n    jQuery(html1).insertBefore(\".elementor-element-156402f\");\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n});\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/\/pagead\/js\/?client=0531879237494766\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block; text-align:center;\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"0531879237494766\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"4268950360\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"auto\"\r\n     data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     ().push({});\r\n<\/script>\r\n\r\n \r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\">\t\r\njQuery(document).ready(function () {var html = '<ins class=\"\" style=\"display:block\" data-ad-format=\"fluid\" data-ad-layout-key=\"-gw-3+1f-3d+2z\" data-ad-client=\"0531879237494766\" data-ad-slot=\"5600453644\"><\/ins><script>(=window. || []).push({});<\\\/script><\/br>';\r\n    jQuery(html).insertAfter(\"div.elementor-element.elementor-element-31b33ad.elementor-widget.elementor-widget-image\");\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\tvar html1 = '<ins class=\"\" style=\"display:block\" data-ad-format=\"autorelaxed\" data-ad-client=\"0531879237494766\" data-ad-slot=\"9212395598\"><\/ins><script>(=window. || []).push({});<\\\/script><\/br>';\r\n    jQuery(html1).insertBefore(\"div.elementor-element.elementor-element-e95eabd.elementor-widget.elementor-widget-image\");\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n});\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/\/pagead\/js\/.js?client=0531879237494766\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<ins class=\"\"\r\n     style=\"display:block; text-align:center;\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"0531879237494766\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"4268950360\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"auto\"\r\n     data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     ( = window. || []).push({});\r\n<\/script>\r\n\r\n This from indianacapitalchronicle.com: INDIANAPOLIS- Beginning next month, and for the first time in nearly 30 years, nine Indiana counties will enjoy partial state reimbursement for spending on public defenders for destitute Hoosiers accused of misdemeanors.\r\n\r\nThe U.S. and Indiana constitutions afford those facing criminal charges the right to public defense when they can\u2019t afford it themselves.\r\n\r\nCounties can draw on the Indiana Commission on Court Appointed Attorneys to help pay for public defense in death penalty, felony and child abuse cases, but they\u2019re on their own for misdemeanors.\r\n\r\nThat\u2019s changing via a limited pilot program.\r\n\r\nIts backers hope to build a case for long-term reimbursement.\r\n<figure id=\"attachment_13000\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\">\r\n<figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><i class=\"fas fa-camera\"><\/i>&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\nThe commission\u2019s \u201ctop priority\u201d is to guarantee enough funding \u201cfor our core mission of reimbursing all counties that comply with our standards for the entire 40% of their eligible public defense expenses,\u201d Executive Director Derrick Mason said in a news release.\r\n\r\n\u201cWe intend to achieve that mission by continuing to ensure constitutionally protected, effective public defense services are provided,\u201d he continued. Commission data has shown that doing so \u201cultimately saves taxpayer dollars at both the state and county level.\u201d\r\n\r\nClark, DeKalb, Floyd, Lawrence, Perry, Pulaski, Steuben, Vigo, and Wabash counties will be eligible for 18 months of 40% reimbursement as part of an initiative authorized last year.\r\n\r\nThat\u2019s in exchange for agreeing to abide by attorney caseload and compensation standards set by the commission. They must also send data on how the reimbursement has impacted attorney appointment rates, jail population, trial rates, and case outcomes for a report due by 2029.\r\n\r\n\u201cThe overall goal of the pilot is to gather data to determine whether (commission) reimbursement to counties, in exchange for the county following standards in the representation of people charged with misdemeanors, produces improved outcomes in Indiana\u2019s criminal justice system,\u201d the news release explained.\r\n\r\nThe nine selections were finalized at a meeting\u00a0last Wednesday.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/iga.in.gov\/pdf-documents\/123\/2024\/senate\/bills\/SB0179\/SB0179.06.ENRH.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Senate Enrolled Act 179<\/a>, enacted in 2024, required the commission to consider population and geographic diversity.\r\n\r\nStaff also prioritized counties with track records of strong leadership, effective communication and accurate, on-time reimbursement requests, according to meeting materials.\r\n\r\nOne table featured red-to-green color-coding for the 22 applicants based on how highly they were recommended for the pilot. Clark County was lauded as a \u201cunique opportunity,\u201d for example, while several unsuccessful counties were knocked for data errors and noncompliance.\r\n\r\nIt\u2019s a smaller pilot than authorized.\r\n\r\nThe statute lets the commission pick up to 12 participants for a four-year pilot. But the agency chose nine, and it\u2019ll last for less than half the time.\r\n\r\nThe news release cited \u201cbudget cuts.\u201d Most agencies were dealt a 5% cut after a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/indianacapitalchronicle.com\/2025\/04\/16\/newest-forecast-data-projects-2b-less-in-revenue\/\">grim revenue forecast<\/a>\u00a0forced budget architects to\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/indianacapitalchronicle.com\/2025\/04\/23\/senate-house-reach-final-budget-compromise\/\">scale back spending<\/a>\u00a0\u2014 and they\u2019ve been\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/indianacapitalchronicle.com\/2025\/06\/09\/agencies-instructed-to-withhold-funds-on-top-of-5-budget-cuts\/\">directed to withhold an additional 5%<\/a>.\r\n\r\nBut participation could be renewed after the initial 18-month term, based on each county\u2019s success and upon the commission\u2019s budget, per the news release. Meeting materials noted that if some participants can\u2019t follow through, the commission could replace them or just let the pilot shrink.\r\n\r\nThe pilot could also grow if there\u2019s enough money.\r\n\r\nLast year, when it was setting up the pilot, the commission envisioned funding it with a pandemic-era surplus and recently doubled fees paid by some Hoosiers assigned public defense.\r\n\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/indianacapitalchronicle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/GettyImages-1346156815-1536x864.jpg\" alt=\"misdemeanor reimbursement\" \/>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<script  src=\"https:\/\/\/pagead\/js\/.js?client=0531879237494766\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<ins class=\"\"\r\n     style=\"display:block; text-align:center;\"\r\n     data-ad-layout=\"in-article\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"fluid\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"0531879237494766\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"2870348528\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     ( = window. || []).push({});\r\n<\/script>\r\n \r\n<script  src=\"https:\/\/\/pagead\/js\/?client=0531879237494766\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block; text-align:center;\"\r\n     data-ad-layout=\"in-article\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"fluid\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"0531879237494766\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"2870348528\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     ().push({});\r\n<\/script>\r\n ","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This from indianacapitalchronicle.com: INDIANAPOLIS- Beginning next month, and for the first time in nearly 30 years, nine Indiana counties will enjoy partial state reimbursement for spending on public defenders for destitute Hoosiers accused of misdemeanors. The U.S. and Indiana constitutions afford those facing criminal charges the right to public defense when they can\u2019t afford it &#8230; <a title=\"Nine Indiana counties, including Wabash, chosen for misdemeanor defense reimbursement pilot\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/masterzradio.net\/?p=94350\" aria-label=\"Read more about Nine Indiana counties, including Wabash, chosen for misdemeanor defense reimbursement pilot\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":94352,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-94350","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/masterzradio.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/GettyImages-1346156815-1536x864-1.jpg","rttpg_featured_image_url":{"full":["https:\/\/masterzradio.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/GettyImages-1346156815-1536x864-1.jpg",1536,864,false],"landscape":["https:\/\/masterzradio.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/GettyImages-1346156815-1536x864-1.jpg",1536,864,false],"portraits":["https:\/\/masterzradio.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/GettyImages-1346156815-1536x864-1.jpg",1536,864,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/masterzradio.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/GettyImages-1346156815-1536x864-1-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/masterzradio.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/GettyImages-1346156815-1536x864-1-300x169.jpg",300,169,true],"large":["https:\/\/masterzradio.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/GettyImages-1346156815-1536x864-1-1024x576.jpg",1024,576,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/masterzradio.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/GettyImages-1346156815-1536x864-1.jpg",1536,864,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/masterzradio.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/GettyImages-1346156815-1536x864-1.jpg",1536,864,false]},"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"Wade Weaver","author_link":"https:\/\/masterzradio.net\/?author=3"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":"<a href=\"https:\/\/masterzradio.net\/?cat=1\" rel=\"category\">Uncategorized<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"This from indianacapitalchronicle.com: INDIANAPOLIS- Beginning next month, and for the first time in nearly 30 years, nine Indiana counties will enjoy partial state reimbursement for spending on public defenders for destitute Hoosiers accused of misdemeanors. The U.S. and Indiana constitutions afford those facing criminal charges the right to public defense when they can\u2019t afford it&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/masterzradio.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/94350","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/masterzradio.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/masterzradio.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/masterzradio.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/masterzradio.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=94350"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/masterzradio.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/94350\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":94353,"href":"https:\/\/masterzradio.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/94350\/revisions\/94353"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/masterzradio.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/94352"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/masterzradio.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=94350"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/masterzradio.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=94350"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/masterzradio.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=94350"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}