The 1998 Kentucky Legislature's work took effect for the most part on July 15, 1998. Its criminal law changes are the most dramatic in decades from the Kentucky Racial Justice Act to life without parole. 

Litigators have a lot to learn and shape through their advocacy. This issue we specially focus on many of the new changes and challenges in the law. 

Public Advocate Ernie Lewis provides us an update on the General Assembly's funding of defender services over the next two years with its special funding for juvenile representation. He also reviews the state of indigent defense in Kentucky and na-tionally. 

We are delighted to feature Rebecca Murrell, an 11 year public defender veteran. 

Our nationally recognized week-long Litigation Practice Institute is adding two tracks, appellate & post-conviction, to the longstanding trial track. Space is limited. Apply early if you want to attend. 

We are happy to announce that The Advocate is now available on line starting with the May 1998 issue. The address is: http://dpa.state.ky.us/advocate 
 

Paid for by State Funds. KRS 57.375 & donations. 
 

The Advocate provides education and research for persons serving indigent clients in order to improve client representation and insure fair process and reliable results for those whose life or liberty is at risk. The Advocate educates criminal justice professionals and the public on its work, mission and values. 

The Advocate is a bi-monthly (January, March, May, July, September, November) publication of the Department of Public Advocacy, an independent agency within the Public Protection and Regulation Cabinet. Opinions expressed in articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of DPA. The Advocate welcomes correspondence on subjects covered by it. If you have an article our readers will find of interest, type a short outline or general description and send it to the Editor. 

Copyright © 1998, Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy. All rights reserved. Permission for reproduction is granted provided credit is given to the author and DPA and a copy of the reproduction is sent to The Advocate. Permission for reproduction of separately copyrighted articles must be obtained from that copyright holder. 

EDITORS: 
Edward C. Monahan, Editor: 1984 - present 
Erwin W. Lewis, Editor: 1978-1983 
Cris Brown, Managing Editor: 1983-1993 
Tina Meadows, Graphics, Design, Layout & 
    Advertising 
Will Hilyerd - Web Edition Conversion 

Contributing Editors: 
Roy Collins – Recruiting & Personnel 
Rebecca DiLoreto – Juvenile Law 
Michael Folk – District Court 
Dan Goyette – Ethics 
Bruce Hackett – 6th Circuit Review 
Bob Hubbard – Retrospection 
Ernie Lewis – Plain View 
Julie Namkin – West’s Review 
David Niehaus – Evidence