The attorney general's office says a lawsuit alleging that Utah's public defender system is unconstitutional should be dismissed because the six inmates suing over an inadequate defense haven't been convicted or sentenced.
Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes's office filed court documents Friday asking a judge to dismiss the lawsuit.
The attorney general's office said it shouldn't be the target of the lawsuit because Reyes can't change the public defender system, which is controlled by the Legislature and counties.
A judge has not yet ruled on motion to dismiss.
The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit against Utah in June on behalf of the six inmates.
The ACLU contends Utah's public defender system is underfunded and overworked, leaving low-income people who are accused of crimes without their full right to a defense in court.