Erica MacDonald Speaks With KSTP About Court-Appointed Counsel in Federal Fraud Cases

Partner and former U.S. Attorney for Minnesota Erica MacDonald spoke with KSTP about court-appointed attorneys in federal fraud cases. The outlet reported that at least 34 defendants in federal fraud cases told the court they could not afford to hire an attorney, despite prosecutors pointing to assets such as expensive homes, luxury vehicles, and other high-value spending.

MacDonald said court-appointed counsel should be limited to defendants who cannot afford representation, while acknowledging the courts’ responsibility to protect defendants’ constitutional right to counsel.

“Those appointments should go to people who truly need it, not people who just don’t want to pay for their attorney,” MacDonald said.

“As a judge, you want to make sure someone has competent representation, but if they can afford to hire their own attorney, they’re not entitled to a court-appointed attorney,” MacDonald added.