NCJ Number
59199
Date Published
1978
Length
24 pages
Annotation
THIS FEASIBILITY STUDY PRESENTS FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A REGIONAL DEFENDER PILOT PROGRAM INCLUDING REGIONAL OFFICE LOCATIONS, PROPOSED STAFFING PATTERNS, AND FUNDING.
Abstract
BASED ON OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES OF THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR DEFENSE MANAGEMENT (NCDM), ESTABLISHED IN 1974 TO IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY AND PROFESSIONAL QUALITY OF DEFENSE DELIVERY SYSTEMS. THIS STUDY RESULTED FROM PROBLEMS OF RISING CASELOADS AND INADEQUATE FUNDING IN THE KENTUCKY STATEWIDE PUBLIC DEFENDER PROGRAM, THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC ADVOCACY (OPA). MOST OF THE PROBLEMS AND COMPLAINTS CAME FROM A 26-COUNTY AREA OF SOUTHEASTERN KENTUCKY. TO SOLVE THESE PROBLEMS, OPA, WITH THE HELP OF NCDM, PROPOSED THAT FIVE REGIONAL DEFENDER OFFICES BE ESTABLISHED IN THE KENTUCKY RIVER, BIG SANDY, AND CUMBERLAND VALLEY DEVELOPMENT USING ALREADY EXISTING SERVICES. AMONG THE FINDINGS OF THE CONSULTANT FOR THE PILOT PROGRAM WERE THAT (1) THE PROPOSED PROJECT BUDGET OF $582,215 WOULD NOT PERMIT THE HIRING OF THE RECOMMENDED NUMBER OF ATTORNEYS AND SUPPORT STAFF, BASED ON NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS; AND (2) THAT IF MORE MONEY WERE NOT MADE AVAILABLE, THE PROJECT SHOULD EITHER ELIMINATE COVERAGE IN SEVERAL COUNTIES OR DETERMINE, ON THE BASIS OF CURRENT MISDEMEANOR CHARGES, WHICH CASES COULD BE REDUCED. APPENDIXES SHOW A MAP OF THE 26 COUNTIES SERVED, A MAP OF THE FIVE REGIONAL OFFICES, THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR EACH REGIONAL OFFICE, AND BUDGETARY AND DEMOGRAPHIC DATA FOR EACH REGION. (AOP)