TOWN OF WOOD v. Good Shield

HANSON, Judge.

Henry Good Shield was convicted of violating a municipal ordinance of the Town of Wood by the Mellette County Justice of Peace who was acting as a police magistrate. The conviction was affirmed on appeal to the circuit court.

We have an anomalous situation in this case. The appellant Good Shield is an indigent defendant represented by two counsel at public expense. However, the Town of Wood (pop. 132) has not responded or appeared because of lack of funds to employ counsel. Our courts are not yet empowered to appoint counsel at state expense for indigent villages, towns and…