Public defenders ask judge to dismiss federal case over lawyers at bond hearings

FAYETTEVILLE — State public defenders are asking a federal judge to abstain from hearing a lawsuit over whether criminal defendants should be provided a lawyer at first appearance and bond hearings. The public defenders argue two cases in state court could resolve the issue sooner. The federal lawsuit filed in July claims not appointing a lawyer to represent people who can’t afford to hire one in the earliest stages of a criminal case is a violation of their constitutional rights. The case was filed in U.S. District Court in Fayetteville by Doug Norwood and Alison Lee on behalf of Abigail…