Fulton County signs 90-day contract with agency

ATLANTA - A Fulton County state court judge says Fulton County is taking steps to replace an indigent defense system that has contributed to overcrowding at jail. <br> <br> Monday, Henry Newkirk told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Fulton County has signed a 90-day contract with the county&#39;s Conflict Defender&#39;s Office to represent indigent clients who face possible jail time. <br> <br> The new system is expected to be in place by May first. The $141,655 contract will have to be rebid after 90-days. <br> <br> The State Bar of Georgia recently endorsed an overhaul of the state&#39;s maligned indigent defense system, calling on the Legislature to pay the full expense of providing lawyers for poor people accused of crimes.