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Appellate public defender requests deputy attorney post, argues hiring saves money versus contracting
Summary
The Idaho Office of the State Appellate Public Defender told the Joint Finance–Appropriations Committee it is requesting an additional attorney position to absorb overflow appellate work and reduce expensive outside contracting; analysts presented cost comparisons showing contracting overflow can exceed hiring costs.
The Idaho Office of the State Appellate Public Defender told a Joint Finance–Appropriations Committee hearing it is requesting authorization and funding for an additional deputy state appellate public defender to reduce the office’s reliance on outside contractors for overflow appellate work.
Christopher Lahoset, a budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office, told the committee the appellate office has 26 authorized full‑time positions, reported no vacancies as of Dec. 15, and that about 85% of expenditures were personnel costs. Lahoset said the office requested the new position because continuing to contract overflow cases was estimated to cost about $254,000 per year, while hiring an in‑state…
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