There is still time for counties to apply for grants from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) for funding to pay public defense attorneys.
The Indigent Defense Advisory Committee is accepting applications for noncompetitive, formula based grants by Thursday through the PCCD Egrants system.
Nearly $7 million is available in the current year budget to help counties address indigent services which means legal representation for those who cannot afford it through salaries, training, technical assistance, transportation, and supplies.
Governor Shapiro has proposed an increase in spending in this area for next year’s budget to a total of $10 million.
Butler County has already applied for this grant and plans to use it to help increase services in the public defender’s office.
