Two judges in Marshall County sought additional funds for pauper council during Monday’s County Council Meeting.
Superior Court I Judge Rob Bowen was able to complete four transfers to add $10,940 to his pauper council line item. He transferred $1,000 from the Law Clerk, $640 from jury supplies, $2,700 from jury meals and $6,600 from grand petit juries all for pauper council.
Judge Dean Colvin from Superior Court II appeared before the County Council seeking an additional appropriation of $30,000 for his pauper council line item.
The judge presented a document which showed the expenditures during the past 9 months and reminded the council of the new contract with for public defenders with the new terms and conditions. He noted, “We are at a shortfall.” Colvin said the shortfall is due to the fact of the new contract for public defenders and because the County Council cut his budget request in 2013 for 2014 during budget approval.
Judge Colvin also noted some intervening factors over the course of the last year… an increase in the number of individuals needing pauper council, a couple civil cases where guardian ad-litems had to be appointed, and a special case this year where the judge had to appoint 2 public defenders to the same defendant and they are outside the current public defenders contract.
Colvin said if he keeps on tract he will still be short about $12,000 in this year’s budget.
Councilman Rex Gilliland said he has been in Colvin’s court and seen the judge run through a long list of questions prior to appointing a public defender.
The Council unanimously approved the additional appropriation of $30,000 for Superior Court II.
