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Court-appointed lawyers and their clients face fallout from government shutdown, funding crisis
Funding shortfall halted payments to Criminal Justice Act panel attorneys, causing case delays and risking defendants’ constitutional rights in multiple federal districts.
- On July 3, thousands of Criminal Justice Act panel attorneys and support staff went unpaid after Defender Services funding fell $130 million short, prolonging the impact of the U.S. government shutdown.
- With a short-term resolution through Oct. 30, Congress provided $114 million, but a $196 million shortfall in the 2026 bill remains, Judge Robert Conrad said.
- In the Central District of California, about 100 panel lawyers include about 80 who stopped taking new cases, forcing trials scheduled into 2027 and prompting financial strain.
- Judges warned they may have to dismiss cases and soon be unable to appoint counsel for defendants constitutionally entitled to representation.
- CJA panel attorneys warned the system is 'about to break,' as expert witnesses and investigators refuse to work without payment, while immigrant advocacy groups filed lawsuits alleging rights violations.
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25 Articles
Associated Press News+23 Reposted by 23 other sources
Court-appointed lawyers and their clients face fallout from government shutdown, funding crisis
The longest U.S. government shutdown in history is officially over, but the fallout will continue to hit federally funded defense lawyers and the people they represent.
·United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources25
Leaning Left7Leaning Right1Center12Last UpdatedBias Distribution60% Center
Bias Distribution
- 60% of the sources are Center
60% Center
L 35%
C 60%
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