NCJ Number
46690
Date Published
1977
Length
45 pages
Annotation
ACTIVITIES, ACHIEVEMENTS, PROBLEMS, NEW PROGRAMS, AND LAW REFORM ACTIVITIES OF THE SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE FOR 1976-1977 ARE REVIEWED.
Abstract
THE GENERAL ACTIVITIES AND RESPONSIBILITES OF THE LEGAL, INVESTIGATION, AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DIVISIONS ARE BRIEFLY SUMMARIZED. NEW MENTAL HEALTH AND JUVENILE COURT LEGISLATION HAD A SUBSTANTIAL IMPACT ON THE DEPARTMENT'S WORKLOAD DURING THE YEAR AND INCREASED THE DUTIES OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDERS AND THE STAFF, NECESSITATING AN INCREASE IN MANPOWER RESOURCES. SUCCESS RATES (I.E., FAVORABLE CASE DISPOSITIONS) FOR THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE HAVE BEEN HIGH. A BREAKDOWN OF SUCCESS RATES IN FELONY AND MISDEMEANOR TRIALS, PRELIMINARY HEARINGS, MOTIONS, AND SETTLEMENTS IS PRESENTED. ADDITIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS HAVE INCLUDED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A JUVENILE COURT SOCIAL SERVICES PROGRAM AND A COMMUNITY WORKER SERVICES AND REFERRAL PROGRAM. NEW PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS HAVE INCLUDED A LEAA-SPONSORED ENTRY-LEVEL TRAINING PROGRAM FOR ALL NEW LAWYERS, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW TRAINING OFFICER POSITION, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF INSERVICE TRAINING PROGRAMS AND EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS. APPOINTMENTS AND PROMOTIONS ARE REVIEWED. A SET OF 22 ADMINISTRATIVE GOALS FOR INTERNAL OFFICE ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN PROPOSED. LAW REFORM ACTIVITIES HAVE FOCUSED ON IMPROPER AND UNETHICAL PRACTICES OF CERTAIN DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY, AN INCREASE IN PUBLIC GUARDIAN STAFFING, AND A REDRAFTING OF THE WORK FURLOUGH LAW TO PERMIT DAYTIME RELEASE OF INCARCERATED MOTHERS FOR THE PURPOSE OF CARING FOR THEIR CHILDREN. FINANCIAL DATA ARE PRESENTED. GRAPHIC AND TABULAR DATA PERTAINING TO OFFICE OPERATIONS, AN ORGANIZATIONAL AND STAFFING CHART, AND A LISTING OF STAFF MEMBERS ARE ALSO PROVIDED. (JAP)