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Legal defender outlines wide case mix, contract pressures and a request for investigator capacity
Summary
Legal Defender Joe Carver told the board his office covers a wider range of case types than the public defender, manages contracted attorneys when conflicts occur, and asked the county to consider creating in‑house investigative or paralegal support rather than relying on costly external contracts.
Legal Defender Joe Carver briefed the Board of Supervisors May 7 on the office’s structure, case mix and fiscal pressures from contract costs and falling fee revenues.
What the office does: Carver explained that the Legal Defender’s Office provides representation in child‑dependency, guardianship, Title 36 mental‑health cases and appeals, and serves as the county’s administrative hub to contract private counsel when the public defender has conflicts. He said that role is broader than in some larger counties where contract management sits in a separate…
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