The U.S. Department of Justice wants a say in the ongoing lawsuit over deficiencies in Idaho’s public defense system, reports Melissa Davlin of Idaho Public TV’s “Idaho Reports.” U.S. Attorney Wendy Olson and the Department of Justice are asking the court’s permission to file an amicus brief on behalf of the United States in support of the ACLU’s appeal of an earlier order dismissing its lawsuit on jurisdictional grounds; the Idaho ACLU has appealed to the Idaho Supreme Court.

“The United States has a strong interest in ensuring that all jurisdictions – federal, state, and local – fulfill their constitutional obligation to provide counsel to criminal defendants and juveniles facing incarceration who cannot afford an attorney,” the Justice Department’s request says. You can read Davlin’s full report here at her “Idaho Reports” blog.