Home -> Law Blog Directory -> Public Defense Blogs -> A Public Defender's Life in Alaska

Public Defense

: A Public Defender's Life in Alaska

So, there is one thing I have to bitch about. In Alaska, the Public Defender Agency makes us pay our own bar dues. I believe the Department of Law had the same policy for DA's. I have never heard of this anywhere else. It certainly was not true even in (my hated) California. It is especially bad because State law says that Public Defender cannot have a practice on the side. I hear the Alaska State Bar just raised its dues to $500. So now I have to come up with $500. Total bullshit. One of the supposed benefits of being a government worker is not being out of pocket just to work. I wonder how much it would cost the Agency to pay the dues? Maybe $50,000. Out of budget of millions. It is hard to come up with $500. Especially as J now wants a third kid. My old roommate Matt Finnegan in Ukiah CA is running for District Attorney. Maybe I should go work for him. Bah. $500 my ass. I am pissed!!!!

Full post as published by A Public Defender's Life in Alaska on December 12, 2009 (boomark / email).