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AOC proposes Office of Indigent Conflict and Civil Counsel, seeks $17 million to ensure appointments
Summary
The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) proposed a new Office of Indigent Conflict and Civil Counsel to centralize and manage private appointments when public defenders are conflicted, requesting $17 million and 14 positions to launch the model and improve timeliness and lawyer availability.
The Administrative Office of the Courts presented an indigent‑representation reform plan to the House Finance, Ways and Means Committee that would create an Office of Indigent Conflict and Civil Counsel to centralize appointments and contracts for court‑appointed lawyers, the AOC said.
Director and AOC representatives said the existing model leaves judges responsible for “dialing for lawyers” when local public defenders have conflicts or cannot take a case. The AOC’s proposed office would hire attorneys and manage a mix of retainer, flat‑fee and hourly contracts so qualified counsel is available when courts need appointments.
“A court system that shifts the burden of finding an attorney off the judge and onto a dedicated office will be more accountable, more flexible and better able to match compensation to case complexity,” the AOC said. Director Holly Long…
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