State justice system underfunded, overwhelmed
As Gov. Mark Dayton and the Legislature grapple with the state’s budget deficit, we believe that it is important for the public to know that our justice system is already underfunded, overwhelmed and in jeopardy, with our public defense system in crisis and backlogs and delays building in courts across the state.
By: Paul Benshoof, Sheri Schlucterand John Melbye, Bemidji Pioneer