OH: cost-cutting, cutting defense

From the Salem News:

Defender quits, raps fund cuts

The Columbiana County Commissioners fell short on funding for all the wheels of justice, not just the spoke representing public defense attorneys.

Lawrence Stacey II, one of three attorneys who recently tendered their resignations from the Criminal Defense Company, said the reduction in funds would cost him about $8,000 in pay this year, questioning whether the commissioners would be willing to take an $8,000 pay cut...

The public defender's office used to be a department with appropriations through the general fund, but was shut down several years ago. As an alternative to attorneys submitting their own hourly rate bills for public defense work, which proved costly, a company of attorneys was formed as a cheaper alternative...

How's that Criminal Defense Company working out for all of you?