NCJ Number
44391
Date Published
1977
Length
58 pages
Annotation
THE ACTIVITIES OF THE CENTRAL OFFICE AND 12 DISTRICT OFFICES OF MARYLAND'S PUBLIC DEFENDER SYSTEM DURING FISCAL YEAR 1977 ARE REPORTED.
Abstract
THE REPORT OPENS WITH BRIEF DISCUSSIONS OF THE DEFENSE SERVICE PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY THE PUBLIC DEFENDER AGENCY DURING THE REPORT PERIOD, THE ISSUE OF PUBLIC DEFENDER STAFF VERSUS ASSIGNED COUNSEL IN THE REPRESENTATION OF INDIGENT ACCUSED PERSONS, THE PLEA-BARGAINING PROCESS AND REVISIONS IN THE STATE'S RULES OF PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE, RECOMMENDED LEGISLATION, AND COLLECTION PROCEDURES. THE ACTIVITIES OF THE STATE OFFICE'S APPELLATE, INMATE SERVICES, MENTAL HEALTH, AND INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES DIVISIONS ARE SUMMARIZED. SEPARATE REPORTS FOR EACH OF THE 12 DISTRICT OFFICES PRESENT AND DISCUSS STATISTICS ON CASELOADS AND SERVICES FOR FY 1977. STATISTICS ARE PRESENTED FOR THE ENTIRE STATE AND FOR EACH DISTRICT ON THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES ACCEPTED, OTHER DEFENSE SERVICES PROVIDED, REIMBURSEMENTS RECEIVED FROM DEFENDANTS, DEFENDANT CHARACTERISTICS, TYPES OF CHARGES, DISPOSITION OF CHARGES, JUVENILE COURT CASELOADS, AND OTHER ASPECTS OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER SYSTEM'S ACTIVITIES. A BRIEF NARRATIVE ACCOMPANYING THE STATISTICS POINTS OUT THAT, OF ALL PUBLIC DEFENDER CLIENTS REPRESENTED DURING THE REPORT PERIOD, 15 PERCENT WERE INCARCERATED BY DISTRICT COURTS, 48 PERCENT BY CIRCUIT COURTS, AND 13 PERCENT BY JUVENILE COURTS; ALL OTHERS WERE RELEASED UNDER SOME FORM OF SUPERVISION OR AS A RESULT OF DIMISSALS OR FINDINGS OF INNOCENCE.