OPERATING A DEFENDER OFFICE - MANUAL

• NCJ Number: 66779
• Author(s): B E DORWORTH
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 236 pages
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored

Annotation

THE MATERIALS IN THIS PARTICIPANTS' MANUAL FOR A REGIONAL WORKSHOP OF THE NATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE RESEARCH UTILIZATION PROGRAM (RUP) OPERATING A DEFENDER OFFICE HELP IN EVALUATING MANAGEMENT AGAINST FIELD STANDARDS.

Abstract

TWO PAPERS DISCUSS THE PROBLEM OF INCREASING WORKLOADS BY A PUBLIC DEFENDER IN SOLANDO COUNTY, CALIF., AND THE PROCEDURES PRESCRIBED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF LEGAL AID ATTORNEYS REGARDING WORKLOAD AND INDIVIDUAL LIMITATION OF WORKLOAD. CASELOAD LITIGATION BASED ON THE REFUSAL OF THE COLORADO STATE PUBLIC DEFENDER TO ACCEPT FURTHER APPOINTMENTS BECAUSE OF CASE OVERLOAD IS PRESENTED. PUBLIC DEFENSE STATISTICS ARE GIVEN, BASED ON TOTAL GENERAL EXPENDITURES; EXPENDITURE FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACTIVITIES BY TYPE OF ACTIVITY, STATE, AND LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT FOR 1975; AND EMPLOYMENT AND PAYROLL FOR PUBLIC DEFENSE ACTIVITIES BY STATE AND LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT, 1971-75. IN ADDITION, A PUBLIC DEFENDER SYSTEM FOR THE STATE OF MARYLAND IS DESCRIBED. THIS SYSTEM REFLECTS THE BREAKDOWN OF THE SINGLE PROGRAM INTO PROGRAMS FOR ADMINISTRATION, DISTRICT OPERATIONS, APPEALS AND INMATE SERVICES, AND PUBLIC DEFENDER MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. IT INCREASES STAFF ATTORNEY POSITIONS OVER A 5-YEAR PERIOD BASED ON THE SYSTEM'S 10 PERCENT BUDGET REDUCTION PLAN. THE SYSTEM ALSO CONFRONTS FUTURE PROBLEMS OF PATIENT ADVOCACY AND MENTAL RETARDATES, EXPANDED INMATE REPRESENTATION, AND INCREASED REPRESENTATION IN JUVENILE PROCEEDINGS. OTHER MATERIALS DISCUSS IMPROVED ATTORNEY-INVESTIGATOR RELATIONSHIPS, DEFENDER OFFICE TRAINING PROGRAMS, PERSONNEL POLICIES, THE FOLKLORE AND FACT OF A MANAGER'S JOB, AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE NATIONAL STUDY COMMISSION ON DEFENSE SERVICES. THE MATERIALS ACCOMPANY THE 3-DAY WORKSHOP, WHOSE AGENDA AND OUTLINE CAN BE FOUND IN THE PARTICIPANTS' HANDBOOK, NCJ 66780.