Hall County will add $200,000 to the fiscal year 2018 budget for indigent defense to help cover the growing costs of children’s attorneys in Juvenile Court, an unfunded mandate created by the 2014 juvenile code change. Another $300,000 was added in a fiscal year 2017 budget amendment in January for these attorneys, who are required by law to represent children believed to be abused and neglected. “That policy is considered best practice around the country, and most states that have progressed as Juvenile Court systems do require that if there is a conflict among the children ... then they should each be entitled to a lawyer, because they are parties to the case,” Hall County Chief Assistant Public Defender Nicki Vaughan said.