I don't know how it is in other States and Counties, but here it is becoming a real problem with Public Defenders. There just are not enough of them to handle the caseloads. Much of it has to do with State Budget cutbacks. Which is ironic because they are holding defendants (many of them) in the County Jails waiting for trials, which is costly. Death Penalty cases here are being scheduled three years out. SERIOUSLY. The Courts require a DP qualified Attorney panel defend a defendant at trial. There are so many that those Attorneys are scheduled that far out.
JMO
JMO