Monroe County public defenders press commissioners for pay parity; chief warns he may leave

Chief Public Defender Jason LaVar told the Monroe County Board of Commissioners on March 5 that a proposed county salary grid that places public defender management below comparable prosecutor positions risks staff retention and could force him to consider leaving his role.

LaVar, who spoke during the meeting's public-comment period, described a 20-year career in the county public defender's office and said the board's decision "leaves me with no other option than to strongly consider moving on." He and attorneys from his office urged the commissioners to adjust proposed pay levels so management in the public defender's office is competitive with the district attorney's office.

The issue drew remarks from multiple attorneys who said the proposed grid undervalues work done by public defenders and will worsen staffing shortages. "By proposing a pay grid that places the chief public defender position below that of the first assistant district attorney position, this county signals to our office and to the public that it does not value our work as equal," said Attorney Angela Ramos.

Why it matters: Public defender offices represent people who cannot afford private counsel; persistent pay disparities with prosecutors, attorneys said, can reduce experienced candidates for supervisory roles and increase caseload pressure on remaining staff.

What speakers said and cited evidence - LaVar described his path to the office, his continuing trial workload while serving as chief and his view that the office now ranks among the best in the state. He said limited office space and historic underfunding have been enduring problems, and that recent salary proposals make retention harder. - A union statement read at the meeting said the attorneys in the office "write in support of our chief, Jason LaVar, Esquire" and said many of the office's attorneys accepted positions in Monroe County because of LaVar's leadership. - Attorney speakers cited statewide standards. One speaker referenced the American Bar Association's Ten Principles of a Public Defense Delivery System, noting principle eight calls for parity between public defenders and prosecutors on salary and resources. - A speaker identified as the county's district attorney (speaking during the public-comment period) said the two offices have historically had pay parity within the union but noted one procedural constraint: "by state law at a thousand dollars below the judges of the court of common pleas," meaning some elected prosecutor pay levels are set by statute. The same speaker also said the DA's office prosecutes more cases overall because it handles additional conflict counsel and private-defense-represented cases.

Quantities and comparisons offered at the meeting - Speakers said Monroe County had 34 jury trials in 2023; they compared that with 17 in Northampton County, nine in Pike County and five in Carbon County for 2023. - One speaker said the salary board's proposed starting salary for a full-time deputy chief in Monroe County matched a part-time deputy chief pay in a neighboring county: "Janet Jackson makes a base pay of $72,109.23," the speaker said, and added that the proposed deputy-chief starting figure would be the same.

Commissioners' responses and next steps - Commissioners acknowledged the public comments and said some follow-up work remains. At one point a commissioner indicated the county intends to file or follow up with a CPQ submission (classification/compensation questionnaire) for public defender positions and that the pay-grid proposal had not yet been finalized or approved at the time of discussion.

Context and limitations - The meeting record shows extensive public comment and internal advocacy but does not record a formal vote or final approval of a new salary grid for public defender management on March 5. Several speakers said a deputy-chief position has remained vacant; speakers argued that proposed pay levels would worsen recruitment.

Ending: The commissioners are continuing to review the county pay proposal; public defenders and their supporters asked the board to revise the grid to achieve pay parity with prosecutor management, citing statewide guidance and local trial volume as justification.