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Public Defender and Alternate Defender press for more trial attorneys, social workers and paralegals as filings rise
Summary
The county’s public defender and alternate public defender presented unmet needs: more felony trial attorneys (DPD4), psychiatric social workers and paralegals to handle rising homicide, capital‑eligible and Prop‑36‑related cases and to provide mandated mitigation and diversion assessments.
Los Angeles County’s public defender Ricardo García and Alternate Public Defender Erica Swarkey told the Board of Supervisors on Feb. 21 that both offices need additional experienced trial attorneys, psychiatric social workers and legal support staff to meet rising caseload complexity and statutory requirements.
Ricardo García, public defender, said the office requests 10 additional felony trial deputy public defenders, 18 psychiatric social workers (including two supervisors) and 16 paralegals, plus IT and accounting support. He told the board that the public defender’s workload is changing because of legislation and…
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