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LOUISIANA STATE BAR ASSOCIATION
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING PUBLIC DEFENSE FUNDING
PARITY WITH THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS

WHEREAS the only segment of our noble profession enshrined in the Bill of Rights is the
criminal defense attorney, and that role was expanded to the states sixty (60) years ago; and

WHEREAS, the STATE OF LOUISIANA has never fully and properly funded public defense,
instead relying principally on local fines and fees, augmented by an underfunded Louisiana
Public Defense Board (LPDB); and

WHEREAS an estimated 80% of all defendants prosecuted for felonies in Louisiana are
represented by appointed counsel; and

WHEREAS funding to the District Attorneys, through both STATE and local sources vastly
exceeds funding to indigent defense so that there is no funding parity; and

WHEREAS adequately and properly funded indigent defense protects both the public and the
Bar membership from the ineffective assistance of counsel unfamiliar and unprepared for
criminal defense and from wrongful convictions;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Louisiana State Bar Association, through its
Board of Governors, supports legislation granting parity of funding both for the Louisiana Public
Defender Board and for individual Public Defenders themselves, including similar salaries,
benefits, pension, support resources, and any other measures giving equity of support.

Respectfully Submitted

____________________________
ANDREW M. CASANAVE
House of Delegates
TH
14 Judicial District