The L.A.Times writes about the "critical shortage" of lawyers for death penalty appeals. According to the story, criminal defense lawyers attribute the shortage to "inadequate state funding, the emotional toll of representing a client facing execution and the likelihood that the California Supreme Court will uphold a capital conviction." In contrast, prosecutors and death penalty supporters blame "the culture of criminal defense work," including zeal "to turn over every rock in the world."
The story sheds light on the current economics of death penalty appeals:
[UC Berkeley law professor Elisabeth] Semel said an investigation for post-conviction challenge costs about $250,000, which includes pay for expert witnesses and travel. The state high court two years ago doubled the investigation budget to $50,000 for an inmate.
Beth Jay, principal attorney to the chief justice and a 31-year veteran of the court, said the court pays a lawyer $200,000 to $300,000 on average for a post-conviction challenge, which can take years. Several law firms that take such cases cover the unreimbursed costs.
