Wyoming’s Public Defender’s Office is facing a significant staff shortage, prompting the decision to stop representing defendants charged with misdemeanors in the state’s northeast corner unless more attorneys are recruited.
This decision, detailed in a letter from three circuit court judges, is expected to take effect no later than February 1. Due to the shortage, the office is asking local attorneys to volunteer to represent indigent defendants at a rate of $100 per hour. If not enough lawyers volunteer, a rotating appointment program may be implemented.
The shortage, attributed to a wave of retirements and difficulty attracting attorneys due to low compensation and limited housing options, affects not only the public defender’s office but also other legal practices in the region.
The shortage is exacerbated by private attorneys finding the offered rate far lower than typical private-practice rates, which can be around $240 per hour.
The situation is not unprecedented; a similar shortage occurred in 2019 under a previous public defender, Diane Lozano.
That year, public defenders also stopped representing misdemeanor defendants due to overwhelming caseloads and low compensation, highlighting long-standing challenges in providing adequate legal defense in Wyoming’s rural areas.