Reprinted from the Sun-Sentinel

Price Of Justice

South Florida Sun-Sentinel Editorial Board
Posted February 7 2006

ISSUE: Turnover is plaguing state prosecutors and public defenders.

For a state that claims to embrace law and order, it sure is tough on its prosecutors and public defenders.

Pay is the issue. It's simply too low to attract and retain quality lawyers to Florida's state attorney and public defender offices, which face ever increasing challenges of employment turnover.

In South Florida, turnover figures hover around 30 percent annually. That's a high and unacceptable statistic. The criminal justice system relies on stability to conduct its legal proceedings.

Novice lawyers often sought public sector jobs to gain experience with criminal and civil cases before seeking a more lucrative position in private practice. Oh, for the good ol' days.

Now attorneys out of school are stuck with six-figure debt from student loans. Starting salaries for prosecutors and public defenders, which are around $38,000, aren't much of an enticement. The ever increasing cost of living in South Florida -- median housing costs nearing $400,000 -- is making salary an even bigger issue.

It's up to the Florida Legislature to come up with solutions, whether it's a loan assistance program for law school graduates who choose a career in the public sector, or salary increases, particularly for more experienced attorneys. Both are in order.

Unfortunately, the jury's still out on lawmakers' willingness to provide the resources to the men and women in the trenches who make the criminal justice system work.

BOTTOM LINE: More resources are needed to ensure fair and competent representation in the courts.