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Council approves backup public-defense contract with Murphy & Murphy Law
Summary
The council approved a five-year professional services agreement with Murphy & Murphy Law to provide public defense services in conflict cases (used rarely). Staff said the contract incurs charges only when the firm is used and complements the city's monthly-retained defender.
Staff explained the unusual but occasionally necessary need for outside public-defense counsel when multiple defendants present conflicts or when the regular defender is unavailable for conflict-of-interest reasons. Ken described the contract terms: five-year term, per-appearance fees and no charges unless the city uses the service. "This is not for when our public defender is out sick ... This is for cases where we have multiple defendants who are conflicted and need their own attorneys," Ken said.
The council voted to approve the resolution authorizing the city to enter the agreement jointly with West Bountiful City; staff said use will likely be very infrequent (one or two times per year) and that the contract is intended to be a cost-effective backup rather than a recurring expense.
