‘You have the right to an attorney ...’

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - The 6th amendment of the U.S. constitution guarantees the right to an attorney. This series of Atlanta News First Investigates’ reports are part of an ongoing series about this constitutionally-guaranteed access to legal representation in court, and the challenges that arise when the supply of defenders is limited.

• Part one: ‘An unacceptable crisis’ | Defendants languishing in jail because of public defender shortage
• Part two: ‘It’s broken’ | Judges dismissing cases because no public defenders are available
• Part three: Here’s why these public defenders left their jobs
• Part four: Searching for solutions to the nation’s public defender shortage
• Part five: Georgia’s top public defender flips, admits her agency cannot hire enough lawyers
• Part six: Atlanta murder suspect denied resources after years in jail
• Part seven: Why has this Georgia man been behind bars for 10 years awaiting trial?

• Part eight: Plagued by image problems, state agency spending thousands on PR firms

If there’s something you would like Atlanta News First Investigative Reporter Andy Pierrotti to look into, email andy.pierrotti@wanf.com.

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