PUBLIC DEFENDER SERVICE OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, VOL. 1: POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

• NCJ Number: 15080
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 82 pages
• Contract Number(s): J-LEAA-014-74
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice; US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Corporate Author: National Institute of Justice (NIJ)
• Sale Source: Superintendent of Documents, GPO; National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: EXEMPLARY PROJECT VOLS 1 AND 2 ARE SOLD BY NTIS AS A SET - PB240 282 VOLS 1 AND 2 ARE SOLD AS A SET - PB 240 282

Annotation

A SUMMARIZATION IS PRESENTED OF THE GENERAL ORGANIZATION AND SPECIFIC STRENGTHS PLUS A DESCRIPTION OF SERVICE AND PROCEDURES OF EACH OF THE COMPONENTS OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER SERVICE (PDS).

Abstract

THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF PDS IS TO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO THOSE UNABLE TO AFFORD COUNSEL IN CRIMINAL, JUVENILE AND MENTAL HEALTH COMMITMENT PROCEEDINGS. UNDER ITS STATUTE, PDS IS AUTHORIZED TO PROVIDE COUNSEL FOR UP TO 'SIXTY PERCENTUM OF THE PERSONS WHO ARE ANNUALLY DETERMINED TO BE FINANCIALLY UNABLE TO OBTAIN ADEQUATE REPRESENTATION.' COUNSEL FOR INDIGENT DEFENDANTS NOT REPRESENTED BY PDS IS PROVIDED BY PRIVATE ATTORNEYS COMPENSATED UNDER THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACT. THE STATUTE THUS GUARANTEES A 'MIXED' SYSTEM OF REPRESENTATION CONSISTING OF BOTH APPOINTED ATTORNEYS AND PUBLIC DEFENDERS. IN ORDER TO ASSURE THAT THE MIXED SYSTEM OF REPRESENTATION FUNCTIONS EFFECTIVELY, CONGRESS GAVE PDS RESPONSIBILITY FOR COORDINATING A SYSTEM FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF PRIVATE COUNSEL, AND FOR SUPPLYING TO ASSIGNED COUNSEL INFORMATION AND MATERIALS ON DEFENSE REPRESENTATION. PDS ATTORNEYS ARE ASSISTED IN THEIR REPRESENTATION BY PERSONNEL OF THE AGENCY'S INVESTIGATIVE DIVISION, SOCIAL WORKERS OF THE OFFENDER REHABILITATION DIVISION, PARAPROFESSIONALS, LAW STUDENTS AND AN ADMINISTRATIVE-SECRETARIAL-CLERICAL STAFF. THE STAFFS OF THE INVESTIGATIVE AND OFFENDER REHABILITATION DIVISIONS ALSO ARE AVAILABLE TO PRIVATE ATTORNEYS APPOINTED UNDER THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACT. AN ORGANIZATION CHART AND FOOTNOTES ARE INCLUDED. A QUESTIONNAIRE, VARIOUS REPORT FORMS, AND PDS COSTS FOR 1973 ARE APPENDED. FOR THE ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROJECT, PLEASE SEE NCJ-15081. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)