Attorneys agree to cut in fees for indigents
By
Rory Ryan-hcpress@cinci.rr.com
A majority of the county attorneys who are paid to provide counsel to indigent clients has signed off on an agreement to accept a reduction in compensation.
In a letter signed by attorneys Lee Koogler, William Armintrout, J.D. Wagoner, Carol Curren, Jeffrey Lyle and Conrad Curren, and listing attorneys Kimberly McGuire-Haines, Susan Zurface, Carol Davis and David Pence, the lawyers "...hereby extend our support to the county and offer to reduce our hourly rate for which we are reimbursed by the county for providing legal counsel to indigent individuals to $30 per hour through the end of 2009."
The attorneys also pointed out that their current reimbursement rate is the second lowest in the state; but "due to the current situation the county finds itself in, we extend our support."
Commissioners voted to reduce the rate of $35 per hour to $30 per hour for both in-court and out of court.
This will be effective Oct. 28-Dec. 31, 2009, and the rate will be reverted back on Jan. 1, 2010 to $35 per hour.
All requests for appointed counsel fees submitted to the court on or after Oct. 28 through Dec. 31, 2009 will be subject to the reduced rate.
In a separate letter, Hillsboro Municipal Court Judge David McKenna offered to waive the portion of his salary that is paid through the county commission from Nov. 1-Dec. 31 of this year.
Moreover, Judge McKenna requested the county transfer and re-allocate that portion of his salary to the Highland County Probation Department budget.
"The probation department is an indispensable partner in the local criminal justice system and a valuable assistant in the daily operations of the Hillsboro Municipal Court. It is my belief that re-allocating this small portion of the budget would be in the best interest of the citizens of Highland County."
McKenna told The Highland County Press earlier this week that the Highland County Probation Department has endured "serious budget cuts."
"This is a very qualified staff," the judge said. "They have had serious cuts."
Commissioners voted unanimously to accept the judge's proposal.
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