Nashville, Tenn. – An additional $5 million has been added to the state’s indigent defense fund to pay remaining claims for the 2008-2009 fiscal year. The supplemental funding comes as part of the $29.4 billion budget signed by Governor Bredesen Thursday. The $5 million in supplemental funding will go toward paying attorneys’ fees and expert witnesses for indigent claims that have not yet been paid for 2008-2009 fiscal year. Attorneys will begin receiving checks next week.
During the 2009-2010 fiscal year, the indigent defense fund will receive $21.4 million, along with $5 million in non-recurring funds.
“The indigent defense fund is fundamental to the administration of justice in Tennessee and we thank the governor and general assembly for including the supplemental funding in the budget plan,” said Libby Sykes, director of the Administrative Office of the Courts. “We also thank attorneys statewide for their patience during the past several weeks, and commend them for continuing to represent Tennesseans that cannot afford legal representation.”