Associated Press - June 28, 2009 4:54 PM ET

CALDWELL, Idaho (AP) - Canyon County commissioners in southwest Idaho are scheduled to appoint a new public defender.

County officials earlier this year said they were terminating a contract with Caldwell-based attorneys Klaus Wiebe and Scott Fouser, who have represented local defendants who can't afford an attorney since 1997.

The Wiebe and Fouser law firm sued the state and Canyon County in April over the way public defenders are chosen and paid. The lawsuit seeks to prevent the county from terminating its contract with Wiebe and Fouser.

Commissioners will consider on Monday the appointment of a public defender who will start Aug. 1. The list of attorneys includes Virginia Bond, Mark Mimura and Chad Gulstrom. Fouser is also being considered.

Information from: Idaho Press-Tribune, http://www.idahopress.com

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