Equal justice under the law
Public defenders are overworked and underpaid. Many jurisdictions expect public defenders to hande eighty cases a week. This is not adequate council. And yet governments and voters seem to base government budget based on the idea that everyone is guilty and that a fair trial is a waste of money.
A right to a fair trial implies that the courtroom should be an even playing field. Therefore, the Federal Government should require that all local jurisdictions should have to give both sides equal funding. For every dollar paId to the prosecutors, local jurisdictions should be required to pay an equivalent dollar to the public defender's office.
Now, I already know your objection. This is just another scam to free criminals. How do you know that the defendants are all guilty? How do you know that you will never stand before a court of law? How would you like to face a trial without a good lawyer.
Public defenders speak up and push back (Innocence Project)
Public defenders nationwide say they're overworked and underfunded (NBC)