Connecticut was the first state in the nation to adopt a Public Defender system, so we have a tradition of leading the way when it comes to the pursuit of justice. It’s time we advanced the claims of justice once again. What’s needed now is a universal public defender system. In plain English, each and every person accused of a crime in this state should have court-appointed counsel.

I suspect more than a few of you spat out a spray of coffee as you read the preceding paragraph. “Public defenders for all!?” “That’s preposterous. Think of the expense!”