VIRGINIA - RECOMMENDATIONS ON ADMINISTRATION AND EVALUATION OF THE PILOT PUBLIC DEFENDER PROJECT CRIMINAL COURTS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROJECT

• NCJ Number: 39838
• Author(s): S SINGER; J GRAMENOS; N GOLDBERG
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 60 pages
• Contract Number(s): J-LEAA-043-72
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: American University
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS REPORT, DATED JANUARY 1974, ANALYZES THE VIRGINIA PILOT PUBLIC DEFENDER PROJECT DESIGNED TO REPRESENT INDIGENTS OF THE JUVENILE, MISDEMEANOR, FELONY, AND POST-CONVICTION LEVELS.

Abstract

THE PROJECT HAS PILOT FIELD OFFICES IN WAYNESBORO (VA) AND VIRGINIA BEACH (VA) AND A PROPOSED SITE IN FAIRFAX COUNTY (VA). THE PUBLIC DEFENDER COMMISSION WHOSE FIVE LAWYER MEMBERS ARE IN CHARGE OF THE PROJECT SUPPLY A FULL-TIME PUBLIC DEFENDER, A FULL-TIME SECRETARY, AND A FULL-TIME INVESTIGATOR AT EACH OF THE TWO OPERATING OFFICES. FIVE ASSISTANT DEFENDERS ARE PART-TIME AND WORK OUT OF PRIVATE OFFICES. TO ENSURE THAT EACH DEFENDER COVERS HIS CASES IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT EACH OFFICE DEVELOP A CASE DOCKET SYSTEM AND COLLECT DATA ROUTINELY ON STANDARDIZED FORMS. SUGGESTED GENERAL OPERATION IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDE THE FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT OF ALL ATTORNEYS WHEN THE GRANT IS RENEWED, THE DEVELOPMENT OF A STAFF TO EXPLORE ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION AND MONEY BOND, AND DEVELOPMENT OF GREATER APPELLATE AND POST-CONVICTION CAPABILITY. METHODS USING STATISTICAL INFORMATION ARE SUGGESTED IN ORDER TO EVALUATE SPEED OF CASE DISPOSITION, QUALITY OF REPRESENTATION, AND RESULTS FOR THE CLIENT. APPENDIXES CONTAIN RECOMMENDED FORMS AND AN ANNUAL REPORT FROM THE OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER FOR THE STATE OF MARYLAND....TWH