BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho Supreme Court heard arguments Friday over whether the state's revamped public defense system meets constitutional standards, continuing a decade-old legal battle over adequate legal representation for indigent defendants.

The case, Tucker v. State, began in 2015 when the American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho and a global law firm sued over what they called systemic deficiencies in public defense.

"These deficiencies are as egregious as they are widespread," attorney Joe Kavanaugh said. "They range from debilitating high caseloads and overworked attorneys to a dearth of critical support investigators and rampant other obstacles."

During the hour-long hearing, attorneys for the plaintiffs argued that widespread problems persist despite Idaho's transition last f

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