PUBLIC DEFENDERS

North Dakota attorneys withdraw from federal public defender work due to funding gap

The William L. Guy Federal Building pictured on July 15, 2025, in Bismarck. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — North Dakota attorneys and judicial officials say a lack of funding for a key federal program could harm federal defendants’ ability to get quality representation. The U.S. Constitution protects criminal defendants’ right to an attorney. When federal defendants…

Eight Extradited from Jamaica to North Dakota Over Lottery Scam

The eight suspects have appeared in federal court in Bismarck

  BISMARCK, ND — Eight more people have been extradited from Jamaica to North Dakota in a lottery scam. The eight suspects have appeared in federal court in Bismarck. Four pleaded not guilty. Four didn’t enter pleas because their public defenders weren’t present. All were ordered held until detention hearings. Authorities allege the scam bilked at least 90 mostly elderly…