Public Defender and Caseload Review: A Report to the Seattle City Council

• NCJ Number: 107253
• Author(s): S W Crane; D Cone; V Knox
• Date Published: 1987
• Length: 42 pages
• Corporate Author: Seattle City Council
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This 1986 study reviewed the salaries and caseloads of public defenders practicing in the Seattle Municipal Court (Washington) and compared them with local and national standards.

Abstract

In Seattle, representation for indigent defendants is provided primarily by the Defender Association and the Associated Counsel for the Accused under the auspices of the Public Defense Program (PDP). Through the PDP, which is responsible for client eligibility screening and contract administration, the city provides approximately 30 percent of the county public defense budget. Compared to local and national standards, the salaries of Seattle public defenders are low. In addition, public defenders lack paths for career development, their caseloads are heavy, and the nature of their work has become more complex. To remedy these problems, the city and the county should develop uniform caseload and salary standards, salary levels should be increased, and the creation of a two-tiered salary schedule should be explored. Appendixes provide supplemental information. 9 tables.