NY Gov. Cuomo Urged To Sign Bill Funding Public Defenders

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A broad coalition of legal advocates, clergy and local leaders is urging New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to sign legislation aimed at ensuring the poor have access to public defenders.

Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy joined other supporters Tuesday to call on the Democratic governor to support the bill.

The legislation passed earlier this year would gradually transfer responsibility for paying for public defenders from local counties to the state.

It follows a 2014 settlement between the Cuomo administration and New York Civil Liberties Union requiring better indigent defense services in Suffolk, Washington, Ontario, Onondaga and Schuyler counties.

New York City and the counties not covered by the settlement are required to fund attorneys for criminal defendants unable to afford one.

Cuomo, a Democrat, hasn't weighed in on the bill.

[STORY BY: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS]