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Utah County public defenders report high workload, request four attorneys and contingency funding
Summary
Utah County Public Defender Association said COVID and remote court procedures have increased workload and delayed trials; they projected ~6,225 appointments by year‑end, calculated case hours that translate to about 55 hours/week per attorney, and asked the commission for funding for four attorneys (plus interns and social workers) at an estimated $440,000.
Benjamin Young, financial manager for the Utah County Public Defender Association, and his management team told the county commission that COVID‑era shifts and remote court proceedings have materially increased workload pressures and produced a growing backlog of trials.
"Our mission is to provide effective and efficient representation to those charged with crimes in Utah County," Young said, framing the Office’s presentation around constitutional and statutory duties, including Utah Code 78b‑22. Josh, a senior attorney on the team, told commissioners that remote hearings and access issues have forced attorneys to spend significantly more time contacting clients in…
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