Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
St. Paul, Minn. (AP)

Minn. lawyers to pay more to fund public defenders

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

The Minnesota Supreme Court is hiking registration fees for lawyers to raise more money for public defenders and legal aid for the poor.

The $100 increase is meant to expire after two years, and raises the annual registration fee for most lawyers to $317. Three-fourths of the increase goes to the Board of Public Defense while $25 is for civil legal services programs.

In Thursday's order, Chief Justice Eric Magnuson writes that the Supreme Court is raising the fees reluctantly. He says civil legal services and the public defender system are "dramatically underfunded," and the court system is suffering as a result.

Alan Page and two other justices dissented. Page writes that fee increase is tax, and the Supreme Court has no authority to levy taxes.