Kenneth Days, director and chief public defender, told the City of Atlanta Public Safety and Legal Administration Committee on Nov. 10 that his office is tracking a steady rise in appointed cases and projects caseloads could double next year because of worsening economic conditions. "We tend to see an increase in caseload as the economy sort of contracts and the job market goes bad," Days said.

Days gave a data-driven overview of the office’s workload and programs, saying the office handles roughly 800 active DUI cases at present, with closed DUI cases totaling 654 this year and an average DUI case lifecycle of about six months. He described the office’s holistic client-centered defense model, social-service referral work, Padilla advisories for immigration consequences, and driver’s-license restoration programming that the office says has reduced arrest rates tied to suspended licenses.

Why it matters: Days said proactive legal clinics and dedicated outreach save money and prevent people from cycling through the criminal-justice system. He estimated the office’s programs have saved the city between $5,000,000 and $10,000,000 since 2015, and asked the committee to consider funding one attorney position and one support position in FY27 to formalize rapid-response assistance and expand clinic capacity.

Councilmember Michael Julian Bond asked whether the office is involved in benefit-relief efforts tied to SNAP and landlord/tenant issues. Days said the office often fields such calls, provides referrals and sometimes expedites cases with Motor Vehicle partners, but that the work is not yet formalized; he reiterated that adding staff would enable a more consistent, front-facing service.

Days also described the Office’s community resource guide, employment partnerships including the 30303 Employment Hub initiative, and a "Know Your Rights" series planned with the Atlanta Citizen Review Board. He invited councilmembers to help facilitate clinics and said the office would provide its resource list to council offices on request.

The committee did not take an immediate vote on new staffing; Days said he expects to seek formal FY27 funding requests to support the positions and expanded programming.