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Loudoun supervisors consider $400,000 supplement for public defenders, debate staffing approach
Summary
The Board of Supervisors discussed pay and staffing for the Office of the Public Defender, heard data on caseload and turnover, and a motion was offered to allocate up to $400,000 in county funding as a salary supplement while staff works with the Virginia Indigent Defense Commission to clarify the true cost of four positions.
Chair Randall opened discussion of the Office of the Public Defender during the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors’ March 6 budget work session, saying the county must act after repeated state inaction on pay parity.
Public Defender Ms. O’Donnell told the board the office averaged about 2,800 cases last year and that caseloads rise by 300–400 cases annually. She said attorney tenure in her office is roughly three years — about the point when attorneys gain the experience that makes them most valuable to the office — and that the office risks losing seasoned staff if pay gaps persist. “If the board isn't willing…
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