Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Indigent Defense topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Public Defender contract approved; county to add investigator to reduce attorney investigative burden
Summary
The commissioners approved a roughly $2 million public defender contract that continues current services; county share is about $387,412 and the contract adds a criminal investigator position costing about $21,000 to reduce attorneys' investigative time.
Patrick Clark, assistant director of trial services for the Public Defenders Office, presented the proposed contract and budget details. The total contract budget is approximately $2 million; Athens County’s share is listed at $387,412. Clark said the office seeks to add one criminal investigator to shift fact‑finding tasks from attorneys to a lower‑cost position. Commissioners discussed the cost-projection form required under House Bill 96 and coordination needs with juvenile court for appointed-counsel accounting.
Clark also updated commissioners that remediation work at the Public Defender office (184 North Lancaster Street) is complete and staff will return to the space on May 4; the office is exploring alternative space due to limited availability in the area. Commissioners approved acceptance of the public defender contract (motion by Adkins, seconded by Chmiel; roll call unanimous).
The meeting record notes that the investigator position is expected to provide faster case processing, improved trial preparedness, and less reliance on the sheriff’s office for subpoena service. The county will participate in required reporting and complete the cost-projection form as required by state law.
