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Public Defender outlines funding, proposes regrades and new senior position
Summary
Public Defender Andy Correia reported steady caseloads despite a vacancy, outlined $395,000 in first-quarter reimbursement claims and presented three personnel and budget transmittals—each approved 4-0 and made contingent on Pay Plan Committee review.
Public Defender Andy Correia told the Wayne County Public Safety Committee on June 2 that his office’s number of open cases remains steady even though the office is down one attorney. He said the office submitted approximately $395,000 in reimbursement claims for the first quarter and noted statewide changes that affect local assigned-counsel funding, including a $5 million statewide increase for assigned counsel services and the state now reimbursing 50% of a previously adopted rate increase.
Correia presented three transmittals to the committee. The committee approved an amendment to the 2026 Public Defender budget to reflect DCJS funding and approved two personnel actions: regrading the second assistant public defender from Grade 10 to Grade 11 and creating a Grade 10 Senior Assistant Public Defender while abolishing a Grade 9 Assistant Public Defender position. Committee approval for the personnel changes was recorded as 4-0 with added language making both approvals “contingent upon approval of the Pay Plan Committee.” The office estimated the regrade would increase county cost by about $20,000 to $25,000 in future years.
