MEMPHIS, Tenn. - A letter obtained by FOX13 Investigates shows the strain the Memphis Safe Task Force and the government shutdown are having on federal public defenders in the Western Division.

It said because of the federal government shutdown, deferred Criminal Justice Act (or CJA) voucher payments have not been made. These vouchers go to criminal defense attorneys appointed to federal cases when the public defender's office cannot take them. The vouchers were set to be paid out on October 1, when the government shutdown began.

CJA Committee Chairperson and U.S. Magistrate Judge John York wrote, "The Court will be heavily relying upon the CJA Panel to provide indigent representation for the foreseeable future. All CJA Panel Members, especially those in the Western Division (Memphis) Pa

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