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Commission approves renewal of indigent defense contract with UJS for specialty courts
Summary
The commission authorized renewal of a contract with UJS to fund one authorized attorney to serve Minnehaha County specialty courts, receiving $58,604 per year to offset costs; staff said the program supports treatment courts and saves taxpayer dollars in future criminal justice costs.
Minnehaha County commissioners voted to renew a contract with the Unified Judicial System (UJS) that provides funding for indigent defense services supporting the county's specialty courts.
"Back in 2021, we worked closely with the UJS to establish a contract which allows us to have one authorized attorney who works full time with the treatment courts here in Minnehaha County," said Tracy (county staff). Tracy told commissioners the contract provides $58,604 per year to help offset the cost of an attorney who attends team meetings and handles pleas and violations for drug court, DUI court, mental health court and veterans court.
Tracy said program participants are prescreened by the State's Attorney's Office and receive treatment and case-worker support intended to keep people in the community rather than cycling through jail and prison. "They receive services within the community. It saves dollars by allowing them to stay in the community," Tracy said.
Commissioners thanked staff for the specialty-court work and asked about the level of staff support; Tracy said one staff member handles specialty courts and other duties. A motion to approve the renewal was made, seconded and carried by roll call.
The contract renewal was approved and the chair was authorized to sign the renewal for fiscal year 2025-2026.
