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Public Defender office reports caseload decline but flags reunification delays, requests cost analysis
Summary
Durham County Public Defender Dawn Baxton told commissioners caseloads declined to 8,408 in FY2024–25 but staffing constraints and the defunding of the Family Drug Treatment Court have lengthened family reunification times; the Board asked staff for calculations and historical cost data on family justice courts.
Dawn Baxton, Public Defender, presented an operational update to the Board of County Commissioners, reporting that the office disposed of 8,408 cases in FY2024–25—below pre-pandemic annual levels of 10,000–15,000—and that the office operates with approximately 25 attorneys. She told the Board that heavy dockets and limited court sessions contribute to lengthy family reunification timelines.
Ms. Baxton…
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