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PDSC reports unpaid invoices, rising caseload and plans 50th anniversary training conference
Summary
PDSC staff reported unpaid invoices from DPHSS and other payors, provided caseload statistics including active prejudgment cases and bench warrants, and described planning for a July training conference and meetings with the legislature on a proposed indigent defense board.
Public Defender Service Corporation staff told trustees on April 21 that the agency is tracking unpaid invoices and a rising caseload while preparing for a 50th-anniversary training conference in July.
At the financial update, a PDSC finance staff member (identified as Mike in the transcript) reported that PDSC and APD were both operating at 92 percent of budgeted levels and that PDSC had issued invoices to the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) for October 2024 through March 2025 at $18,914 per month; payments for October, November and December 2024 were the only months received. Staff said they are following up with DPHSS and related payors for the outstanding payments.
Staff reported an ICJR amendment was received this month and that PDSC will issue invoices for January through March for those services. A release of claim was expected to be issued with roughly $990 in unused funds to be refunded by April 30, 2025. For another grant labeled in the report as ‘‘staff 22’’ (balance unclear in the transcript), the balance remained at $13,328. Staff also said a March invoice of $295 to WestCare for legal services for veterans remained unpaid.
On casework, PDSC’s executive director reported that the office opened 102 cases in March and that the total caseload count “appears to be about 5,006,” which staff said includes post-judgment cases on probation and outstanding bench warrants. Staff reported approximately 829 cases with bench warrants outstanding and about 1,310 active prejudgment cases. The report noted roughly 31 clients on electronic monitoring; staff said they are tracking outcomes of bail motions and other pretrial requests in a table included with the materials.
The report also described planning for a multi-day training conference in July to mark PDSC’s 50th anniversary; staff said they may invite the chief justice to participate on a panel with leaders of the other two branches and that letters would be sent to potential participants. Separately, staff confirmed meetings with the speaker and judiciary leadership last Friday to discuss a bill establishing an independent indigent defense board; staff said recommendations from those meetings prompted suggested budget adjustments.
The Alternate Public Defender’s office (APD) provided a second-quarter report through March 31 showing counts the APD managing attorney summarized as 72 felony cases, 21 misdemeanor cases and 13 juvenile cases and indicated a total caseload figure of 656 in the report for the period. APD staff said they will include electronic monitoring information in the next board packet.
