Alternate public defender says caseload rising; office remains fully state‑funded as Axon contract paid from DCJS funds

Tina Sote, Alternate Public Defender, told the Audit & Finance Committee on Oct. 23 that her office provides representation when the Public Defender’s Office has a conflict and has seen rising caseloads, including more homicides and attempted murder cases this year.

Sote said year‑to‑date case numbers had already exceeded last year by 262 cases. To address workload, she budgeted two additional attorney positions for 2026 to reduce attorney caseloads. She said the alternate public defender’s operating budget is 100% state funded through the Office of Indigent Legal Services (ILS), so those positions do not increase the county’s cost share.

Sote explained a spike in the discovery/storage line in 2025 was the result of using a DCJS grant (aid to defense/discovery reform funds) to pay for the first five years of a 10‑year Axon discovery storage contract; she said the office expected to receive additional ILS family court funding that would be reflected in future budget amendments once contract execution is complete.

Sote said the office had lost a family court caseworker to another agency but was in the process of hiring a replacement and expected to be fully staffed by next month. She said specialized services funds are used for expert witnesses, transcripts and stenographer requests.

Sote told legislators her office’s overall county exposure will be lower than last year once a corrected medical insurance line is processed and the pending state revenue is recorded. No formal actions or votes were taken during the presentation.