Palin Troopergate Defense Attorney PAID WITH ALASKA STATE TAXPAYER MONEY

[berni_mccoy]

Just heard this from either the Former Gov. of Alask or the current Mayor of Wasilla (this was on the radio, POTUS 08 on XM Sattelite Radio). They were ripping Palin to shreds on the BridgeS-to-Nowhere and Troopergate and this little factoid popped out.

Aren't defense attorneys who are paid by the state reserved for those WHO CAN NOT AFFORD THEM?

:wow:

[sattahipdeep]

1. Yep

[KansDem]

2. Unless she felt this was a "state matter"

Which would mean that there is some credence to her using her state office for personal vendettas. I mean, if this was a "personal matter," wouldn't she use a private lawyer?

But I'm not a lawyer!

[berni_mccoy]

3. It's a CRIMINAL matter, not a liability issue for doing her job.

For example, if she's being sued as Governor, she has a right to a state-paid attorney to defend against it.

But otherwise, HELL NO. She can afford her own CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER.

[Fumesucker]

4. But. ...but .. Obama called Palin a pig.. !!!

OMG!!!!

It's huege!!!

[kestrel91316]

5. Isn't she being sued over her actions AS GOVERNOR in the matter?

If so, this is one of the official perks, and I have no problem with it. She's not being criminally presecuted, is she?

[berni_mccoy]

6. This is a criminal matter, not civil

[kestrel91316]

7. I guess I missed the announcement of her indictment?

How did THAT happen - I'm on here all the time??

[Igel]

8. It's political and administrative.

French isn't a DA; he's a legislator. The legislator doesn't bring criminal charges or mete out jail time.

Then there's the administrative review board. They have administrative punishment powers, but they can't indict or convict administrators of felonies or misdemeanors.

It might become a criminal matter, but it's certainly not in the courts.

On edit: The legislature appointed a special prosecutor. AFAIK, it's still a legislative matter, with impeachment being (as French has recklessly noted) the most drastic possible outcome.