Resolution 086-1971
RESOLUTION NO. 86 -1971
WHEREAS, the law of the land requires each State to provide a
lawyer for people charged with a crime unable to afford their own lawyer; and
WHEREAS, the Public Defenders of the State of Florida regard the
representation of the indigent a grave responsibility and in the best interest of
the people of the State of Florida; and
WHEREAS, the Public Defenders of the State of Florida seek to per-
form the duty of the defense for indigents in a competent and efficient manner
with adequate funding; and
WHEREAS, the Public Defenders of the State of Florida and the Board
of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida are greatly concerned that
appropriation of the State Public Defender system is in jeopardy; and
WHEREAS, the State Senate has expressed a desire to no longer ap-
propriate funds for a Public Defender system but to place the tax burden of the
Defender system on the sixty- seven countie s of the State of Florida; and
WHEREAS, said Board of County Commissioners feel that the Senate
appropriation plan would be detrimental to the State Public Defender system and
would place an unjustified burden on the citizens of each county through ad valorem
property taxes; and
WHEREAS, said Board of County Commissioners feel that the Public
Defender system should be funded by the State in order to create a uniform system
and to promote a better Public Defemer system; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that the State Legislature be and it is hereby re-
quested to adequately fund the Public Defender system and oppose placing the tax
burden on the sixty-seven counties of Florida, thereby increasing the property
taxes of the citizens of each county.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY SAID BOARD that copies of this re-
solution be forwarded to all of the members of the Monroe County Commissioners
of the Monroe County, Florida Legislative Delegation.
DATED: October 13, 1971.