Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz wants to replace the Assigned Counsel Program — a 60-year-old system that meets the state-mandated obligation to provide lawyers to people who cannot afford one, those charged with crimes, and indigent parents in Family Court proceedings.
He says taxpayers will save money.
At his April 2024 State of the County address, Poloncarz told Erie County residents: “Due to new state mandates, Erie County will spend nearly $40 million on indigent defense this year.”…