NCJ Number
48412
Date Published
1976
Length
26 pages
Annotation
ACTIVITIES OF TWO PUBLIC DEFENDER OFFICES UNDER A VIRGINIA PILOT PROGRAM AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A THIRD OFFICE ARE DESCRIBED. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT PUBLIC DEFENDERS ARE PROVIDING GOOD SERVICE ECONOMICALLY.
Abstract
THE WORK OF THE STAUNTON-WAYNESBORO-AUGUSTA COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER OFFICE, WHICH WAS SET UP JUNE 1, 1975, AND THE VIRGINIA BEACH OFFICE, ESTABLISHED IN 1974, IS SUMMARIZED. IN ADDITION, THE PROCESS OF SETTING UP A NEW OFFICE IN ROANOKE IS DESCRIBED. IT DIFFERS FROM THE OTHERS IN THAT ALL PERSONNEL ARE FULL-TIME. THE REPORT CONCLUDES THAT THE OPERATIONAL COSTS OF THE DEFENDER OFFICES HAS INCREASED ABOUT 7.5 PERCENT SINCE 1973 WHILE COSTS OF COURT-APPOINTED COUNSEL HAVE INCREASED 128 PERCENT. THESE FIGURES ARE DETAILED BY AREA IN A SERIES OF TABLES. IN ADDITION, JUDGES HAVE BEEN ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT THE QUALITY OF REPRESENTATION. AN ON-CALL DEFENDER HAS SPEEDED THE COURT PROCESS, ESPECIALLY FOR JUVENILE STATUS OFFENDERS. APPENDED MATERIALS INCLUDE A COPY OF THE ENABLING LEGISLATION, AN EXCERPT FROM THE 1974 COMMISSION REPORT, SALARIES AND CASELOAD DATA, ESTIMATED COST COMPARISONS, THE BUDGET FOR THE NEW ROANOKE DISTRICT, STATEWIDE COSTS FOR COURT-APPOINTED ATTORNEYS, AND COSTS OF COURT-APPONTED COUNSEL IN SELECTED LOCALITIES. (GLR)