Public Defender Exodus Reaches ‘Crisis’

Public defender exodus reaches ‘crisis’

FRANKFORT Low pay and limited advancement opportunities are creating a “crisis” of turnover among Kentucky’s public defenders who are leaving for higher pay elsewhere, lawmakers were told Tuesday.

Public defenders leaving for better pay reaches ‘crisis’ in KY, lawmakers are told • Kentucky Lantern

Kentucky's Public Advocate Damon Preston, right, and Deputy Public Advocate Melanie Lowe, left, speak to state lawmakers on Tuesday. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Liam Niemeyer)FRANKFORT — Low pay and limited advancement opportunities are creating a “crisis” of turnover among Kentucky’s public defenders who are leaving for higher pay elsewhere, lawmakers were told Tuesday.  Kentucky’s Public Advocate Damon Preston and Deputy Public Advocate Melanie…