As chairman of the legislative oversight committee on the Georgia Public Defender Standards Council, Sen. Preston Smith (R-Rome) today announced the release of the committee’s report that reviews the council’s standards, programs and budgets. The committee meets throughout the year and is made up of four members from both the Senate and House.
“Our state faces an unprecedented fiscal environment, and we’re doing everything we can to balance our budget to fund the core areas of government. The committee’s recommendations recognize the enormous financial strain this economy places on our courts, and offers solutions to balance their duties with the limited funding we have available. This report also addresses issues that have arisen in Advisory Opinions of the State Bar as well as opinions and orders recently issued by Georgia Courts.
“The council is an important part of ensuring the proper application of justice throughout the indigent defense system. Our bicameral legislative oversight committee is dedicated to working with the council, its staff, and the local circuit public defenders to ensure coordination between the executive, judicial and legislative branches in operating this fundamental system.”
To view the committee’s report, please click here.
Sen. Preston Smith serves as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. He represents the 52nd Senate District which includes Floyd County and portions of Bartow and Gordon counties. He may be reached by phone at 404.656.0034 or by e-mail at preston.smith@senate.ga.gov.
STATEMENT
For Immediate Release:
February 24, 2010
For Information Contact:
Raegan Weber, Director
Kallarin Richards, Senior Communications Specialist
kallarin.richards@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028