This report deals with the direct delivery of public defender services to the indigent, focuses on personnel management practices, describes the development of caseload/workload standards in sample jurisdictions -Florida, Colorado, Minnesota, and Oregon -- and examines administrative practices and procedures for public defender programs. The management practices described are categorized as public defender service delivery; personnel management; managing public defender resources; caseload control, using program standards and the budget process; and administering the public defender program. Methods of increasing efficiency include early representation, representation by a single attorney throughout the case, and organization of staff attorneys into teams. Some public defender programs find it cost-effective to use legal assistants for many of the tasks typically performed by attorneys. One promising approach to managing public defender resources is the limitation of services provided through the use of caseload/workload standards. Methods of limiting public defender caseloads are through litigation, legislation, and administration. The management techniques identified in this report show potential for increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of the average public defender program. The appendixes contain the literature review bibliography and materials from the sample jurisdictions.
Downloads
Similar Publications
- Criminal Justice Interventions for Offenders With Mental Illness: Evaluation of Mental Health Courts in Bronx and Brooklyn, New York, Executive Summary
- State Appellate Court Adaptation to Caseload Increase, 1968-1984: (United States)
- Disparity and Discrimination in Sentencing - The Case of Georgia - Final Report