The Peace Corps and Criminal Defense

Abstract

The Peace Corps determines that it should remain neutral in the case and that it is legally barred from paying for Bill’s representation. Peace Corps officials in Dar es Salaam argue vigorously that the Peace Corps should cover the costs, but after the Peace Corps general counsel prepares a number of legal memos on the issue (which are discussed in detail), it is decided that the Peace Corps cannot, and so legislation to remedy the problem is drafted and sent to Congress. Bill’s family is unhappy with the Peace Corps decision and feels that Bill has been abandoned. However, in the end, his father agrees to cover the costs of the defense in the trial.