Clinton County Commissioner Jeff Snyder appointed to the Pennsylvania State Indigent Defense Advisory Committee

PublisherFebruary 12, 2024Last Updated: February 12, 2024

1 minute read

LOCK HAVEN-Clinton County Commissioner Jeff Snyder was recently appointed by PA Governor Josh Shapiro to serve as a member of the Pennsylvania State Indigent Defense Advisory Committee. Snyder was sworn in by President Judge Craig Miller and Judge Michael Salisbury, Clinton County Court of Common Pleas Judges, at the Clinton County Courthouse.

Snyder is one of only two Pennsylvania County Commissioners appointed to serve on the committee. He was recommended to the Governor for the position by the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP).

The main purpose of the committee is to establish a comprehensive statewide program to better serve those citizens who cannot afford to pay for their legal defense.

The committee has been assigned many duties and responsibilities which include establishing minimum standards for the delivery of legal services for the indigent throughout the Commonwealth; defining minimum standards for attorneys providing Indigent Defense services; developing and providing statewide continuing legal education courses and practical training programs for indigent defense attorneys; and other duties as outlined in Article II-F Indigent Defense, Pennsylvania 2023 General Assembly Act 34.

Clinton County Commissioner Jeff Snyder, center, was sworn in to serve on the Pennsylvania Indigent Advisory Committee. Pictured with Commissioner Snyder, from left are President Judge Craig Miller, Commissioner Jim Russo, Snyder, Commissioner Angela Harding, and Judge Michael Salisbury.

The Committee will also establish a grant program for Pennsylvania counties to help supplement expenses for legal representation provided to impoverished adult and juvenile defendants. State funds had not previously been available to assist Pennsylvania counties with these legal expenses.

Clinton County Commissioners Jim Russo and Angela Harding were present at the swearing in ceremony to show their support and congratulate Snyder upon this important appointment.