Broome and Tioga Counties are named in a new report on problems with public defenders offices in New York.

But some argue the report is misleading if you don't understand its mission.

The National Legal Aid and Defender Association, or N-L-A-D-A gave 6 counties a failing grade for their performance, including Tioga County.

Tioga County has a part-time Public Defenders Office.

Defender George Awad believes that's why it received failing grades in areas like resources and accountability.

He argues the NLADA report used guidelines for full time offices.

And, Awad says the goal is to push New York to take over funding the public defense system.

The New York State Bar Association agrees.

"It's the state's responsibility to ensure poor people have counsel in criminal cases, that they have lawyers, so it's the state's responsibility but for the most part, they pass that along to the counties," says Vince Doyle of the New York Bar Association.

The report mentioned Broome County for running low on money, and slowing payments to appointed attorneys.

The Public Defenders office says the case load is up 30 percent more than in years past.

Because it's falling short, Broome County added 600-thousand dollars in funding for next year.

The State Bar Association argues the entire New York Public Defenders system needs reform.

"They're excellent attorney's doing their best in these offices. They're overworked, they're underfunded, they're not properly supervised, and they're not getting the job done," says Doyle.

This month, the New York Civil Liberties Union filed a class action lawsuit, saying the system is so underfunded, it's unconstitutional.