LINCOLN- Hall County Public Defender Gerald Piccolo has expressed serious concern over the lack of aspiring defense attorneys applying for positions in the rural parts of Nebraska. This is part of a national trend, where law schools have seen a 21% drop since its peak in 2010. “It’s just more attractive to live in Lincoln or Omaha than live in Grand Island, Madison County or Scottsbluff,” Piccolo said.

A bill to address this shortage was in the works during the last legislative session but got derailed over a disagreement between the state's prosecutors and defense attorneys over incentives that should be offered. State Senator Danielle Conrad had proposed legislation that offered expanded financial incentives for public defenders and prosecutors practicing in rural areas, including student loan repayment assistance. The lack of attorneys is increasingly causing a problem; 12 of the state's 93 counties have zero attorneys and 18 counties have three or fewer, with projections indicating a continual deterioration.

The program had funds waiting to be allocated, but the bill fell apart due to a dispute regarding whether public defenders and county prosecutors should be paid the same. It was argued that county attorneys have a wider scope of responsibilities, not only prosecuting criminal cases but also handling the civil lawsuits that the county faces, providing legal guidance to officials, handling child support enforcement, and serving as the county coroner. Conrad emphasizes the importance of salary parity in this bill, and it is widely recognized that this issue isn't going anywhere.

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