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Public defenders tell Utah County commissioners caseloads and costs surged in 2023; request staffing and budget accounting changes
Summary
Utah County Public Defender Association officials told commissioners that 2023 brought a marked increase in case complexity and hours, noted a $423,818 midyear parity pay adjustment and high attorney turnover, and asked the commission to consider budget adjustments including an additional appeals attorney.
Benjamin Young, financial manager for the Utah County Public Defender Association, told the Board of County Commissioners that the office saw a significant rise in cases and hours required in 2023 and asked commissioners to factor that increase into future budget planning. "There was a significant increase in both the number of cases as well as the number of hours required," Young said during a quarter‑4 and annual presentation.
Josh Esplin, the association’s chief counsel, said the office used American Bar Association weights to calculate hours…
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