Declaring that “The state’s budget should reflect our public safety priorities,” the state’s 11 District Attorneys tomorrow will announce efforts to enlist the support of policy shapers and the general public to correct a structurally flawed system to provide criminal defense services to indigent defendants. On Thursday, Oct. 14, at 12:30 p.m., the District Attorneys will detail structural flaws in the current system that has resulted in astronomical, runaway costs at the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS). Massachusetts now spends nearly twice as much to defend criminals as it does to prosecute them. At the same time, CPCS’ criminal defense caseload is only two-thirds that of the state’s District Attorneys.

In FY10, the state’s 11 District Attorneys handled approximately 300,000 cases on a total combined budget of $92 million. CPCS handled approximately 200,000 cases but received more than $168 million in funding.

The DAs are advocating a solution to leaders on Beacon Hill that does not require new taxpayer dollars, but would instead reallocate existing funds for public prosecution and public defenders based upon actual caseload.

What: 11 District Attorneys

Where: State House Nurses Hall

When: Thursday, Oct. 14, 12:30 p.m.