NCJ Number
180573
Date Published
1999
Length
102 pages
Annotation
This report summarizes the functions, organizational structure, and activities of the Maryland Office of the Public Defender from July 1998 through June 1999.
Abstract
The office opened its doors in January 1972, has 5 operational divisions, and provides services in 12 operational districts. Its five service programs include general administration; district operations such as qualifying and representing clients in courts, police custody, and hearings; appellate and collateral review; involuntary civil commitment; and capital defense. The public defender's office received additional contractual and staff positions during the fiscal year to enable it to move close to a full workforce. The new positions focused on arraignment courts in Baltimore; cases involving the termination of parental rights; and the establishment of statewide committees to develop uniform policies in the areas of personnel, training, grants, family law practice, operations, and procedures. The defender's offices opened a total of 166,964 cases during fiscal year 1999. Reports on activities and cases in each of the 12 districts, tables, footnotes, and appended tables and figure