I.O.U. justice

NEARLY 50 years ago, the Supreme Court decided that poor people charged with a crime are entitled to legal presentation, paid for by the state.

As our state Legislature continues its destruction path through the budget process, this is a right that is now in jeopardy in Philadelphia. That's because the court-appointed attorneys that represent the city's poorest clients in criminal and family courts are on the "don't-pay" list of vendors created by the city due to the state budget stalemate. (Payment decisions are now on a case-by-case basis.)

And while court-appointed attorneys - assigned cases that the public defender's office can't handle - don't have the option of dropping the cases for which they aren't getting paid, if enough of them turn down cases, that will put "justice for all" in serious jeopardy.

What's so galling about this situation is not only that the fees are not being paid, but that these fees should be included in the court costs that the state is supposed to be picking up - but doesn't. So defending those who can't afford an attorney is another thing for which our city tax dollars are paying - or, rather, not paying.