LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- As of Monday, Louisville's Public Defender's Office is now officially part of the state.
Originally, the Louisville-Jefferson County Public Defender Corporation operated as a nonprofit, receiving funding from the state and the city.
But House Bill 568, passed by lawmakers in 2023, cut the funding from Metro Government and finalized a merger with the Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy. It was vetoed by Gov. Andy Beshear, but overridden.
Part of the transition means the state will also take over the funding previously provided by Metro Government.
The Louisville office had been short staffed for years. Public Defenders voted to unionize in January 2022 in a 32-5 vote, however the union said there was little cooperation from its higher-ups. In Nov. 2023, a federal judge ruled that the Public Defenders' Office did not fully cooperate with the union efforts.
Attorneys voted to unionize, in part, because of their high, unmanageable case loads due to a shortage of lawyers.
Now, the state is hoping it can help its busiest office, and alleviate its work load.
Previous Coverage:
- State Department of Public Advocacy in process of taking over Louisville Public Defender's Office
- Judge rules Louisville Public defenders Corporation violated federal union law
- Gov. Beshear vetoes bill related to Louisville Public Defender's office merging with state
- Louisville Public Defenders Concerned about state legislation that would change how they get funding
- Louisville public defenders celebrate one year since voting to unionize amid struggle with negotiation efforts
- Louisville public defenders continue fight for contract one year after vote to unionize
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