NCJ Number
85777
Date Published
Unknown
Length
105 pages
Annotation
This evaluation describes the operations of the Iowa State Appellate Defender (OAD) during its LEAA grant period, with special attention to the efforts and strategies which resulted in the legislature voting overwhelmingly to accept organizational and financial responsibility for the office.
Abstract
Sources of evaluation data were statistics submitted by the OAD in monthly reports, observations and interviews at the OAD office, interviews with other Iowa officials, and site visits. The report first summarizes Iowa's indigent defense system, covering relevant statutes, appellate jurisdiction, and compensation for appointed counsel. A history of the OAD emphasizes that the concept of a statewide appellate defender office was supported by the State Supreme Court and the legislature prior to the grant award in August 1980. The office was fully staffed by October 1980 and had exceeded its 150 case limit stipulated in the contract by mid-April 1981. In late 1980, the OAD director and a member of the Iowa Crime Commission began lobbying and educational activities to obtain enactment of a State appellate defender program. Their efforts are discussed in detail, along with future funding problems that the office might encounter. A review of the OAD's activities during the grant period which ended July 1981 addresses the following categories: organizing services, insuring quality of services, providing quality services, relations with the legal community, and office administration. It concludes that the OAD handles a full range of appellate services and has an excellent record of timeliness in filing appellate court briefs, but is accepting too many appointments. The case weighting data demonstrate the office's selfless dedication to delivering services, but raise concerns regarding stress on present staff. Client contact is considered excellent, as is the quality and format of briefs filed. Suggestions to improve the office's operations are provided. Lack of adequate equipment and poor office facilities are major problems. The appendixes include budget data, newspaper articles, a report on appellate conflicts, and materials developed by the OAD such as a training and reference manual for nonprofessional employees.