The Florida legislature -- trying to save money -- approved a law that changed how court appointed defense attorneys for the poor are paid.
It's not just that the defense attorneys are paid less. The law created a flat fee model that put a cap on the money that a defense lawyer can receive for their services. The caps are extremely low -- so low that many attorneys are actually losing money accepting cases. It has resulted in many lawyers either refusing to take poor defendants or ending the cases as soon as they can.
This destroys the poor's right to a fair trial and adequate legal representation.
Please tell Florida to protect the poor's right to a lawyer!
I am writing to you today because of a recent law concerning defense attorneys for the poor.
This law has set a cap on the money a defense attorney can receive for representing poor defendants, which is so low that many lawyers have lost money accepting cases. This has caused lawyers to refuse poor clients or end the cases as quickly as possible.
This law has threatened the poor's right to adequate legal representation and a fair trial.
Please protect the poor's right to a lawyer.
Thank you for your time.
