NCJ Number
88402
Date Published
1981
Length
115 pages
Annotation
The Department of Assigned Counsel of Pierce County, Wash., should institute a procedure for requiring a small payment from partially indigent defendants and should refer defendants to private attorneys who will accept reduced fees.
Abstract
During the 4-day onsite period, approximately 70 interviews were conducted with representatives of each component of the criminal justice system. Statistical data were gathered by staff members through examination of billing and assignment records, case files, Pierce County budget records, and related materials. The primary objective of the Department of Assigned Counsel (D.A.C.) is to provide full and competent representation of indigents at all stages of the criminal proceedings. In 1980, the operating budget of D.A.C. was approximately $1 million. Taken as a whole, the evaluation team could find no glaring deficiencies in that portion of the criminal courts system of Pierce County which it observed. However, the absence of hard statistical data made assessment of quality throughout the criminal justice system difficult. All eligibility determinations made by D.A.C. should be subject to judicial review and prompt appeal. Assigned private lawyers should never seek to obtain a retainer from an eligible defendant. D.A.C. should design a training program for entry level attorneys, upgrade the in-house library, use a workable briefbank, and lease a photocopying machine. All attorney fees should be paid uniformly at the same hourly rate, and bills should be scrutinized for excessive charges.