SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - Despite its long history of providing the right to an attorney to those who can’t afford one, for a long time, South Dakota provided no oversight in actually providing attorneys, putting a strain on smaller counties.

South Dakota’s first state public defender, Christopher Miles, and his office take on appeals cases, not any at trial, but with a little help from the state, he’s hoping to expand its role.

Almost a year ago, a nonprofit called the Sixth Amendment Center criticized the state of indigent services in South Dakota, finding errors in how individuals were informed of their right to an attorney, the negotiation between prosecutors and clients without an attorney, and the burden public defense placed on the budgets of smaller counties to prov

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