Shortchanged public defense fees risk funding crunch, agency says

By: Leslie Bonilla Muñiz

Outlets: Indiana Capital Chronicle

Published: August 5, 2026

Words: 671

Last Updated: 2 weeks ago

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County collections of public defense fees designated for the state of Indiana are far below expectations, even as expenditures for the constitutionally mandated service hit record highs.

Hoosiers who’ve been accused of crimes but can’t afford private counsel have the right to public defense under the U.S. and Indiana constitutions. It’s not cheap.

Counties charge defendants fees to help cover defense costs. Until 2024, they collected $100 in felony cases and $50 in misdemeanor cases …

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