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Public Defender: Office down six attorneys; committee to support higher starting step request
Summary
Public Defender Scott Sanford told the Administration Committee the office is short six attorneys and is preparing an MIDC grant due in March; he was directed to provide a memo supporting a higher starting step and said he will meet with counsel and a judge about problems with juvenile contract attorneys.
Scott Sanford, Berrien County Public Defender, told the Administration Committee on Feb. 26 that his office is currently short six attorneys and is preparing a grant application required in March for MIDC-related funding.
Sanford said the office has summer interns budgeted and four third-year law students graduating in May whom he would like to offer employment. He also raised the prospect that the age range for "youthful offenders" — currently 18 to 21 — may be increased to as high as 24, a change that could affect caseloads and staffing needs. Committee members directed Sanford to provide a memo outlining the justification for a higher minimum starting step; the Administration Committee indicated it would support the request when he presents it to PHSC.
Sanford reported "serious issues" with current juvenile contract attorneys and said he plans to meet with corporate counsel Jean Lawrence and Judge Berger to address those concerns. No formal vote or dollar amounts related to staffing were recorded in the minutes; next steps are Sanfords memo to the committee and eventual PHSC consideration.
