Georgina Lambert

Opposition Testimony on HB 1003: Prohibit Grafton County Attorney Private Practice While HB 1003 aims to strengthen prosecutorial integrity and enhance public trust, it fundamentally overlooks the intersectional harms that could arise from its implementation. By prohibiting Grafton County attorneys from engaging in private practice, this bill may inadvertently create a workforce that lacks sufficient stability and resources. Many public servants already face high levels of stress; removing private practice opportunities could exacerbate this situation, pushing qualified attorneys away from public service and, ultimately, diminishing the quality of legal representation for vulnerable communities. Moreover, without accompanying fiscal and equity supports, the bill risks reinforcing systemic inequities within the criminal legal system. Those from historically marginalized backgrounds already experience bias and harm; a more strained public legal framework could deepen these disparities. Policymakers must consider how to balance ethical objectives with structural safeguards to ensure that this bill does not inadvertently burden both public defenders and the constituents they serve. True reform requires comprehensive support that uplifts vulnerable populations rather than isolating them.