Prosecutors, public defenders, the Tennessee Bar Association and foreign language interpreters are among groups participating Wednesday when the Tennessee Supreme Court hears arguments concerning proposed changes in a rule governing state-paid indigent defense.
The court, which normally limits oral arguments to one hour, has set aside two hours to hear comments on the proposal and revisions suggested by lawyers, interpreters, expert witnesses and others involved in the legal system. The session will begin at 1 p.m. at the Supreme Court Building in Nashville.
Changes are aimed at tightening Supreme Court Rule 13 detailing how court-appointed attorneys and experts, such as psychiatrists and investigators, are paid by the state. Until the court adopts its revised rule, a section setting hourly rates and guidelines for payment of foreign language court interpreters and translators will remain in effect.
The state's indigent defense budget for the current fiscal year is $16.9 million, including $1 million appropriated by the legislature for court-appointed interpreters and translators. The Administrative Office of the Courts receives and reviews indigent defense claims and disburses the payments. In fiscal year 2002-03, more than 66,000 claims were processed for payment.