Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Indigent Defense topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Public Defender outlines county contracting model; says state reimbursement near 82%
Summary
Andy Plagens of the Office of the Ohio Public Defender told the State Controlling Board that indigent defense remains largely administered at the county level, with about 10 counties in a multi-county contract program and the office's reimbursement rate at roughly 82% for the current year; the board approved the item.
The State Controlling Board approved a request related to indigent defense contracting and reimbursements presented by Andy Plagens of the Office of the Ohio Public Defender.
Representative Stewart summarized the county-state funding and contracting arrangement and asked whether the Ohio Public Defender could run a more centralized statewide approach to reduce complexity and control costs. Plagens said the system currently has logistical challenges but noted that in the latest budget the office launched a Northwest Regional Hub with full-time state public defenders to serve Allen, Hardin and Putnam counties. He said 10 counties currently contract with the office under a multi-county program and that the state reimbursement rate this year is about 82% (rather than 100%).
The board approved the item without a recorded roll call.
What happens next: The Office of the Public Defender will carry out the approved operations and continue coordinating with county commissioners, judges and local prosecutors.
