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The 5th circuit public defenders office is experiencing hard times because of recent budget cuts. 5th Circuit Public Defender, Howard "Skip" Babb, says they've already had to cut over 10 lawyers. If the 5th Circuit Public Defender's Office is forced to take another budget cut, it may have to reject new cases in the future. Babb says when a lawyer is cut, it creates overload for the remaining lawyers. Babb believes, unless the revenue comes back to the state, his office and others will remain in this situation for some time. The fifth circuit covers Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion and Sumter counties.