NCJ Number
59190
Date Published
1978
Length
50 pages
Annotation
RESULTS OF AN EVALUATION STUDY OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER OFFICE OF BAY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, BASED UPON DATA ANALYSIS, INTERVIEWS, AND OBSERVATIONS ARE PRESENTED; RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE.
Abstract
THE CITIZENS OF BAY COUNTY, IT IS CONCLUDED, ARE FORTUNATE IN HAVING A STRONG, HIGHLY MOTIVATED DEFENDER OFFICE. ADOPTION OF THE SPECIFIED RECOMMENDATIONS WILL ASSURE ITS CONTINUED EFFECTIVENESS AND STABILITY. THE PUBLIC DEFENDER OFFICE SHOULD BE ENLARGED TO INCLUDE TWO ADDITIONAL ATTORNEYS, A SECRETARY, AND AN INVESTIGATOR; THE PRESENT PARALEGAL POSITION SHOULD BE CONTINUED. SECOND, THE LIBRARY SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE U.S. SUPREME COURT AND FEDERAL COURT CASES. THE OFFICE SHOULD CHANGE ITS PRESENT DATA COLLECTION SYSTEM TO INCLUDE MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ON CASE DISPOSITION, AND THE CHIEF PUBLIC DEFENDER SHOULD SPEND MORE TIME ON ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS AND ESTABLISH AN ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE WHICH CAN MEET THE PRESENT DEMANDS OF THE OFFICE; COMMUNITY RELATIONS AND PUBLIC EDUCATION OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S ROLE SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. FURTHERMORE, THE OFFICE SHOULD CONSIDER INSTITUTING LAW STUDENT PROGRAMS TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE TO PUBLIC DEFENDER ATTORNEYS. REGULAR MEETINGS OF ATTORNEYS TO DISCUSS CURRENT CASES AND NEW LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS ARE SUGGESTED. THE OFFICE BUDGET SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR STAFF ATTORNEYS TO ATTEND COONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION SEMINARS IN CRIMINAL LAW AND FOR POLYGRAPH TESTS, EXPERT WITNESSES, AND OTHER INVESTIGATORY EXPENSES. SALARIES SHOULD BE IMPROVED TO APPROXIMATE MORE CLOSELY THE SALARIES PAID IN THE COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE. FINALLY, A COMPREHENSIVE POLICY MANUAL SHOULD BE DEVELOPED AND DISTRIBUTED TO ALL PUBLIC DEFENDER EMPLOYEES. APPENDIXES AND EXHIBITS ARE INCLUDED IN THE EVALUATION REPORT. (LWM)