El Nuevo mexicano., 1916-08-17
METHOD Or PAYING
EXPENSE OF Defense
Of IND|GENTS, PLAN
IMPORTANT RESULT MAY COME
FROM DISCUSSION or SUBJECT
BY CHIEF JUSTICE ROBERTS
AND JUDGE RICHARDSON AT
BAR ASSOCIATION MEETING

H"N
Possibly not a public defender, but
some provision whereby attorneys
win be paid from the court fund for
conducting the d~efenses OF INDECENT
prisoners, will be the outgrowth OF
the discussion between Judge Gran
Vile A. Richardson and Chief Justice
g. J. Roberts, before the convention
Of the New Mexico Bar association
adjourned late yesterday afternoon.
Judge Richardson said he had been
asked by the secretary Of the asso-
citation toespeak on the subject of I'm
digent Defendants" He spoke with
feeling and convincing logic Of the i'm
portance of having some adequate pro-
vision made for the securing of com
petent counsel to conduct the defense
in all cases where the defendant was
without funds. TThe subject, in its
broader sense, goes into the larger
question of social welfare.2 said Judge
Richardson. ~ do not hope to say
anything at this time which will re
suit in SO great interest on the part
of the bar association or the people Of
New Mexico as to cause a legislative
act to provide for public defenders,
bat ! do hope that my observations
may perhaps SOW the seed which later
win bring about the required prpvis.
ions for safeguarding the interests of
the prisoner at the bar when he is
without MEANS the speaker con
tinued. He related interesting x
periences from his own practice and
from his court, and read reports
which endorsed the work Of public
defender in the city of Los Angeles,
where the plan appears to have been
tried successfully.
Judge Roberts made a few remarks
at the close of Judge Richardson's
speech. He declared that he believed
the state as yet has not need Of a
public defender. but that the state
ought to make allowance for the nomi-
nal pay for attorneys who are appoint
ed by the courts to defend prisoners
without money. There ought to be
provision made not only for paying
the attorneys, but also for the pay
ment of the cost Of securing a tran
script Of the record Of the trial court,
to be used in appealing to the SUI
preme courts. There have been in
stances of defendants found guilty Of
murder in the first degree, when the
attorneys were willing to appeal the
case without pay, but were unable be-
cause the defendant could mot raise
enough money0toc secure sthe tran
script Of the record. s
"A motion by Laurence Lee was car.
ried to have Judge Richardson reduce
his observations to writing and to
have the secretary make a synopsis
of Judge Roberts suggestions, and
have the same referred to the legis-
lative committee.
The committee on resolutions, re-
ported its belief that the legislative
committee ought to- appeal to the
next legislature for an act to create
a legislation reference and drafting
bureau, as suggested in the remarks
made during the morning session by
r. p. Barnes, of Albuquerque. The re-
port Of the committee was adopted.
Motions were carried to extend the
heartiest thanks to the retiring Of
ficers for their earnest and efficient
services; and to the Woman's Board
Of Trade, Of Santa Fe, for the excel
lent banquet which that body served
Monday night.
On motion by Laurence Lee, 1t was
voted to allow the secretary OF the
association the nominal salary OF 800
4 year for his services. It was sug-
gested that il would be an admirable
plan to ask the eight vice presidents
10 put forth their best efforts to in
the membership in their re-
spective districts. 1t is said there
are now about 500 attorneys in the
Of New Mexico. OF these, 175
hold, or have held, membership In
he association, but all Of them do not
nave their dues paid up and therefore
,ot ali are In the best Of standing.