41.   The society does not handle all cases for indigent defendants, however.

42.   The state system is notorious for failing to provide competent lawyers for indigent criminal defendants, or providing no lawyers at all.

43.   The state has come under criticism for its death penalty system, including what critics regard as inadequate representation for many indigent defendants.

44.   The Supreme Court gave indigent defendants a theoretical right to counsel but undermines the practical right.

45.   Trial judges then would be able to pick one of those lawyers to represent an indigent defendant.

46.   Unlike indigent defendants in criminal court, poor tenants facing eviction or seeking repairs do not have a constitutional right to a lawyer.

47.   Kaye wants to substantially raise the amount earned by lawyers assigned by courts to represent indigent defendants.

48.   State judges can appoint lawyers to represent indigent defendants, and defendants convicted of capital crimes get automatic appeals.

49.   Ahmed was paid by federal funds allocated to assist indigent defendants in their criminal cases, Jabara said.