Appellate public defender asks JFAC for deputy attorney to reduce outside counsel costs

Summary

The State Appellate Public Defender told the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee that rising post‑pandemic appellate caseloads and turnover have driven some cases to outside counsel. The office asked for a funded deputy position it says will reduce contract costs and for reappropriation authority for one‑time funds from prior years.

At a Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee budget hearing, the State Appellate Public Defender requested funding for one additional deputy appellate public defender and authority to reappropriate remaining one‑time funds, arguing the move would reduce reliance on outside counsel.

The office, which provides appellate representation for indigent defendants, has an authorized 26 full‑time positions and reported no vacancies as of mid‑December, but said turnover earlier in the year and a sharp post‑pandemic caseload increase strained resources. Christopher LaHoset, budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office, told the committee that the office’s five‑year average personnel appropriation is nearly $2.8 million and that roughly 85% of recent expenditures were personnel costs.

Why it matters: Committee members were told contracting out overflow and conflict cases costs the state…

Appellate public defender asks JFAC for deputy attorney to reduce outside counsel costs

Summary

Subscribe to keep reading