I am a pretty big fan of a weekly columnist for The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, Jim Wooten, whose column, Thinking Right, is regular source of ideas. I don’t always agree with Wooten but I am probably with him about 60% of the time. However, he infuriated me recently when talking about controlling state spending he referred to indigent defense as an entitlement: “Newly created entitlements like indigent defense.”
Indigent defense should not be categorized as an entitlement along with Medicaid and public pensions. The Sixth Amendment to our Constitution says, “In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy…the assistance of Counsel for his defence” (spelling as original).
Federal and state governments should focus time, money, and legislation on those areas they have legitimate authority to be involved in. If this occurred, I believe there would be more money for Constitutional requirements like indigent defense; albeit, less money available for those items that are truly “entitlements.”
If you claim to support our Constitution you should support it even when you do not like the outcome.
