Council of judges, County reach partial agreement over pay increase for indigent criminal defense attorneys

There’s partial resolution to the dispute between local district judges and county commissioners who have been sparring because the judges boosted the pay for indigent criminal defense attorneys.

The hard feelings come because the County has to pay that bill – and has no say in the matter.

A news release this afternoon from the El Paso Council of Judges says they’ve agreed to delay the increase.

The Council of Judges has voted to postpone the implementation of the indigent defense attorney pay increase, crediting commissioners Sergio Lewis and Carlos Leon for breaking the impasse.

The Council of Judges letter states the commissioners presented their side in a very convincing and reasonable manner and they “did not resort to threats to the judiciary or other elected officials or department heads.”

Read the full letter at http://bit.ly/1iEGznV