08/06/08 Vermont - Budget woes mean that the Vermont Defender General, Matthew Valerio, must eliminate seven and a half full time equivalent attorney positions. According to Valerio, his attorneys were already carrying a caseload that was 25% too high. 08/03/08 Missouri - Two judicial circuit public defender offices have announced that they will stop taking new cases as of September 1, 2008. Missouri public defenders currently average close to 300 cases per year. 08/03/08 Florida - The Alternatives to Incarceration Summit met in Fort Lauderdale to discuss ways to reduce Florida ever-growing prison population. Representatives from different organizations held gave speeches and discussed ideas such as decriminalization of minor misdemeanors. 07/30/08 Louisiana - A new survey provides additional evidence that the Louisiana penal system requires better social services in order to lower recidivism rates. These efficient programs would also lower costs in the long run, according to the study. 07/27/08 Maine - Maine Courts seek cost cutting measures. Due to a lack of funds, Cumberland County is attempting to streamline District and Superior Court cases in an effort to ease the burden on an understaffed and underfunded Judiciary. 07/24/08 Georgia - Defense attorneys have gone to Fulton County District Court in an attempt to stop the firing of four conflict Public Defenders. The salaried conflict attorneys would be fired for budgetary reasons and replaced by contract attorneys, who are paid on a per case basis. 08/01 Update: Judge Westmoreland will observe the quality of representation for at least 16 weeks before ruling on the constitutionality of the changes. For additional news regarding indigent defense, click here.