VERMONT - OFFICE OF THE DEFENDER GENERAL - ANNUAL REPORT, THIRD, 1978

• NCJ Number: 55948
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 146 pages
• Corporate Author: Vermont Office of the Defender General
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Report (Annual/Periodic)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS PRIMARILY STATISTICAL REPORT DETAILS THE RISE IN VARIOUS TYPES OF CASES, THE NUMBER OF CASES HANDLED PER OFFICE, AND THE DISPOSITION OF THE CASES. A BRIEF NARRATIVE SUMMARY UPDATES PROJECTS ALREADY IMPLEMENTED.

Abstract

IN EARLIER ANNUAL REPORTS, THE OFFICE OF THE DEFENDER GENERAL DESCRIBED A NUMBER OF MANAGEMENT PROJECTS DESIGNED TO INCREASE EFFICIENCY AND REDUCE ATTORNEY TURNOVER. THIS ANNUAL REPORT FINDS THE PROJECTS WORKING WELL. TWO PROGRAMS WERE IMPLEMENTED TO HELP VARY THE WORK FOR PUBLIC DEFENDERS. ONE ALLOWED DEFENDERS TO ACCEPT CIVIL CASES ON A CONTRACT BASIS. THE OTHER HIRED THREE ATTORNEYS TO HANDLE A TWO-PERSON OFFICE (AT TWO-THIRDS SALARY EACH), WHICH ALLOWED EACH TO HAVE TIME TO HANDLE ADDITIONAL DUTIES. (SEE NCJ 55947). BOTH OF THESE PROJECTS HAVE PROVED SUCCESSFUL. PUBLIC DEFENDER TURNOVER HAS DROPPED FROM 42 PERCENT IN THE FISCAL YEAR 1977 TO HALF THAT IN THE FISCAL YEAR 1978, WITH A 20 PERCENT TURNOVER RATE PROJECTED FOR 1979. CASELOADS CONTINUE TO INCREASE, AND A NEW OFFICE HAS BEEN ADDED. THE NEED FOR NEW STAFF IN BURLINGTON, VT., IS DISCUSSED. THE STATISTICS DETAIL THE NUMBER OF CASES HANDLED BY OFFENSE AND BY REGION, CASE DISPOSITIONS, AND BUDGET DATA. (GLR)