Great Falls judges warn public-defender shortage causing jail delays and case backlog

During a July budget session, Great Falls municipal judges raised concerns that the public-defender office’s lag is causing defendants to sit in jail for weeks before counsel is appointed, leading to repeated continuances. Statewide, the Office of the State Public Defender meets its two-week assignment target in 80% of cases, yet 5,727 clients experience an average 50-day wait, with variation across courts. In Great Falls Municipal Court, the average wait is 13.7 days, but a 56% surge in cases last year was handled by only five staff attorneys compared with eleven the prior year.

Prosecutor Neil Anthon acknowledged that roughly two defendants per one outlet require hearing postponements due to missing attorneys, while judges warn the delay may infringe on speedy-trial rights. The agency relies on private-practice contract lawyers, but insufficient numbers exacerbate the shortfall. Although a new courtroom added capacity, the shortage of defenders continues to expand the court’s schedule.