Twenty-two State Plans (21 states and one U.S. territory) cover both private and state and . This assumes local counsel will be appointed. Finally, Chapter583 of 2021 (AB625, Arambula) directed OSPDupon appropriationto undertake a study to assess appropriate workloads for indigent defense attorneys and to submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by January1,2024. Failure to monitor and supervise Fresno Countys Public Defense System to ensure compliance with minimal constitutional and statutory requirements. <> This means these cases are typically decided through negotiations between prosecutors and defendants. Additionally, the manner in which indigent defense staff are used can also vary. 2001), Appeals (est. Thegoal of such standards is to help ensure minimum quality service levels. In contrast, about $1,000 was spent on indigent defense per arrest in 201819, an increase of about $400 per arrest (or 65percent) from 200910. As such, these defendants may choose to settle a case and avoid losing their jobs rather than contesting the case and going to trial. Counties Primarily Responsible for Indigent Defense. The agency currently represents more than 130 men and women on death row in California. Currently, as shown in Figure1, 34 of the 58 counties have chosen to establish public defender offices. In California, counties are primarily responsible for providing and paying for indigent defense. Second, spending on district attorney offices may not represent all prosecutorial resources. Inaddition, the ability of indigent defense providers to effectively represent their clients can be undermined if they have significantly less resources than the prosecutors seeking to convict their clients. However, we believe that it is critical for the state to receive accurate and comprehensive data in order to determine whether federal and state constitutional requirements are being met. Differences in Caseloads. The lack of statewide, comprehensive, and comparable data, however, makes it difficult to fully assess theseclaims. Themost common way is to determine staffing levels (and how staff should be distributed) and to justify budget requests. This means that the magnitude of the difference in spending on the district attorney office and indigent defense can be much greater in certain counties. Such racial disparities are particularly notable for African Americans and Hispanics. As we start our second decade, we have made adjustments to our leadership team. The Legislature could also provide guidance to the working group to shape the scope of its work, such as defining the outcomes it desires from an effective indigent defense system or specifying the types of metrics it would like the group to evaluate and consider. In this section, we use the term indigent defense to refer collectively to (1)countyfunded public defender offices, (2)contracts with attorneys, and (3)courtappointed private attorneys. Additionally, effective assistance can result in the identification of mitigating circumstances or relevant defenses that can lead to better plea deals, lesser charges, or dismissal of casesall of which can help mitigate the major life consequences that could be experienced by individuals. A recent challenge by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in California, in which Fresno County and the state were sued, suggests that the state could be held responsible for ensuring that effective indigent defense is being provided. <> endstream <>/Font<>/XObject<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> 2008) under one umbrella and to develop proposals for a statewide public defense system. In contrast, in 29 of the district attorney offices, there were between 1.1 and 3 attorneys per clerical staff. In counties with populations of more than 1.3million people, state law requires courts appoint attorneys to defendants in a particular priority order. Specifically, in a 2016 report examining the Los Angeles area, the Federal Reserve Bank of San Franciscoin partnership with several universities and research organizationsfound that the median net worth of U.S. African American households ($4,000), Mexican households ($3,500), and other Latino households ($42,500) were substantially lower than white households ($355,000). 16 0 obj [Appointment of Counsel; Guardian ad Litem.] This is known as indigent defense.. Partnerships. Staffing levels can provide a sense of the total number of people available to work on cases. If the state is interested in acting in this area, it has various options depending on its goals. This could include the Legislature taking a stronger role to mitigate any negative differences in the provision of indigent defense services across the state. Examples of such research are provided below. timestudy methodologies to establish maximum caseload standards tailored to the specific jurisdiction, their court processes, and specific case types. One common way used to compare differences in indigent defense and district attorney office spending is to calculate how much is spent on indigent defense as a percentage of how much is spent on district attorney offices. Figure12 shows the distribution of the ratio of attorneys to investigators for the 32 counties that reported data for both public defender and district attorney offices. Kristi Mullen who joined OSPD as office manager during the merger continues in that role. The U.S. Supreme Courts decision in Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) found that the right to counsel is fundamental and essential to fair trials in the United States and that defendants who are too poor to hire attorneys cannot be assured of a fair trial unless attorneys are provided by the government. Workload metrics capture specific tasks (such as the number of active and closed cases), actions that indigent defense providers should engage in (such as the number of cases investigated), or a sense of the quality of representation provided (such as the number of motions filed to dismiss a case). However, recent litigation suggests that the state could be held responsible for ensuring that effective indigent defense is being provided. OSPD is a state agency that historically represented defendants appealing their death penalty convictions. This would provide the state with comprehensive data that can be compared across counties. As this case was settled, it is unclear whether other California counties are similarly situatedresulting in potential state liability in those cases as well. (Doc. 110 S. State Street, Oscoda, MI 48750. These specifications may be updated at any time. Jurisdictions have used such caseload standards in different ways to help ensure that minimum levels of effective indigent defense service are being provided. 18 0 obj This means that the type of indigent defense data collected, how it is collected, and how it is used varies by county. (Apublic defender office can refuse cases in various circumstances. State statutes contain provisions to ensure that both federal and state constitutional standards are met. Every individual receiving indigent defense services is represented by an attorney. On May 13, 2019, I directed United States Attorney John Durham to conduct a . Such data could also help the state better understand some of the underlying reasons for the differences, where improvements can be made, and where policy changes or additional resources should be targeted. Additionally, some assert that certain district attorney offices support specific programs and activitiessuch as forensic laboratories or providing advice to grand juriesthat may not be required by the indigent defense system. State law requires that public defenders defend individuals who are (1)charged with a criminal offense that can be tried in the trial courts and (2)financially unable to pay for attorney representation. The Office of State Public Defender (OSPD) was established in 2011 to continue the work of Capital Defense (est. endobj 12 0 obj 17 0 obj We also analyzed data reported by counties to the State Controllers Office and the California Department of Justice. These comparisons also show that there is greater variation in resource levels for district attorney offices than indigent defense across counties. Constitutionally Guaranteed Equal Protection and Due Process Right. Defense counsels workload is controlled to permit the rendering of quality representation. Forexample, a timestudy in Virginia recommended annual caseloads not exceed 45noncapital murder or homicide cases, 145violent felony cases, 257 nonviolent felony cases, and 757misdemeanorcases. endobj Engage in independent fact investigation. For example, various interactionssuch as being arrested, appearing in court routinely for proceedings, completing required community service, and being incarcerated both pretrial and posttrialcan have consequences for defendants employment, child custody, housing, or immigration status (such as the loss of legal status and deportation). Below, we describe in more detail the categories of such metrics. This makes it difficult to fully and fairly evaluate the effectiveness of indigent service levels currently being provided across the state. Despite a statewide decrease of approximately 315,000 arrests (or 23percent) between 200910 and 201819, the amount spent statewide on district attorney offices and indigent defense per arrest increased significantly during this period. (Please see the box below for additional information on racial disparities in the criminal justice system.) This can impact the extent to which defense attorneys can fully litigate a case and whether defendants feel that they have been effectively represented. Concerns have been raised in various jurisdictions regarding whether effective indigent defense assistance is being provided. ANNUAL REPORT July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2022 The Office of State Public Defender (OSPD) was created by the Legislature in 2011 through the consolidation of the Office of Capital Defense Counsel (OCDC) and the Office of Indigent Appeals (OIA). 7 0 obj The state settled by agreeing to expand the mission of OSPD so that it would be authorized to provide support for county indigent defense systemsincluding providing training and technical assistance, and identifying steps to improve the states provision of indigent criminal defense. Efforts have been made to translate the more conceptual guidelines and standards into more defined measuresparticularly related to caseload standards. In counties with public defender offices, the Chief Public Defender is appointed by the county board of supervisors unless the board decided the position was to be elected at the time the office was created. Workload Metrics. Accordingly, the total resources available for prosecution are likely greater than reflected in the available data. In talking to stakeholders and reviewing papers on this topic, various opinions were offered to justify the differences in resources between district attorney offices and the indigent defense system, as well as the differences between counties in the level of resources provided to indigent defense. Effective June 1, 2021 Jennifer Morgan joined our staff as the first Parent Defense Program Manager. <> Second, the staffing data is reported on June 30 of every year and may not fully reflect the number of positions each office is budgeted for. endobj OSPD Annual Report FY 2022. There is parity between defense counsel and the prosecution with respect to resources and defense counsel is included as an equal partner in the justice system. In California, indigent defense systems provide representation in one, or a combination, of three ways: (1)public defender offices operated by the government, (2)private law firms or attorneys that contract with the government to provide representation in a certain number of cases and/or over a certain amount of time, or (3)individual private attorneys who are willing to take on indigent criminal cases and are appointed by the court to specific cases with compensation ordered by the court. Another method used is screening attorneys for competency and monitoring billing. As a result, counties have taken different approaches to evaluating and monitoring the provision of indigent defense services. For example, in 201819, spending on district attorney offices was 82percent higher than on indigent defense. We note that the workload and staffing data is through 201819 as this is the last full fiscal year before the COVID19 pandemic, which had significantlikely limited termimpacts on the processing of criminal cases, meaning that workload and staffing data from that time period may not accurately reflect ongoing trends in the provision of indigent defense. We describe a couple categories of such guidelines and standards below. County priorities and funding decisions impact arresting, charging, and prosecutorial decisions that the indigent defense system must react to. In contrast, per arrest spending on district attorney offices for almost threefourths of all counties was between $800 to $2,400 per arrest. endobj As we start our second decade, we have made adjustments to our leadership team. However, analysis of limited data raises questions about existing indigent defense service levels. Court address Telephone no. Now, the Office of the State Public Defender focuses its resources on post-conviction appellate representation in death penalty cases. Moreover, providing resources specifically for obtaining such data increases the likelihood that it is collected accurately and consistently. This limits our staffing comparisons to the 32 out of the 33 counties that chose to operate public defender offices and reported data to DOJ between 200910 and 201819. OSPD - Office of State Public Defender 1 2 3 4 5 6 Welcome The California Legislature created the Office of the State Public Defender in 1976 to represent indigent criminal defendants on appeal. <> Kelsey has been a staff attorney for over ten years. It is unclear the extent to which other counties (and by extension the state) could face similar allegations in the future. See 636(b)(1); McCarthy v. Bronson, 500 U.S. 136 (1991). US Legal Forms' platform is your guarantee to always having up-to-date legal templates specific to your state regulations, which you can save as DOCXs or PDFs 24/7 and complete multiple times. The state currently lacks comprehensive and consistent data that directly measures the effectiveness or quality of indigent defense across the state. Additionally, the state also expanded OSPDs mission to include providing assistance and training to indigent defense attorneys as well as other efforts to improve the quality of indigent defense representation. For example, certain city attorneys within Los Angeles County generally prosecute misdemeanors and funding for these offices are not captured in the data below. However, as we discuss below, the lack of consistent data and metrics makes it difficult to fully evaluate existing service levels at this time. In a slightly different approach, one California indigent defense provider has chosen to evaluate the quality of their services by surveying criminal justice stakeholderssuch as judges and other criminal defense attorneysto obtain their perspectives on how effectively their attorneys are representing their clients. These metrics are frequently the most difficult to measure and collect data for, as well as to analyze and draw conclusions from, for various reasons. In some cases, counties may not be collecting data in a robust and usable manner. Differences in Total Staffing Levels. For example, efficiency metrics should be used in combination with quality (or effectiveness) metrics. Deviations from these specifications require approval by the BSEE OSPD COR during the first draft stage of the report. The mission of the agency was expanded in 2020 to include representation in trial court indigent defense caseswhich is in addition to the representation provided by counties discussed previously. In 2021, the Capital Commission certified 10 attorneys to accept appointments as lead trial counsel, trial co-counsel, and/or appellate counsel certification. Capital Defense was opened in 2001 to provide Sixth Amendment services in death penalty GovernmentFunded Representation of Defendants Unable to Afford Private Attorneys. (b) Appointment Procedure. First, the staffing data that counties provide to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) does not include individuals providing service through contracts or direct payments. 2001), Appeals (est. For example, a District Attorney that sets office policies to limit early settlements of cases could mean that indigent defense attorneys must invest more time and resources to more fully investigate and defend their clients in order to limit incarceration. The availability of investigators, clerks, paralegals, social workers, and other staff to support attorneys can reduce the level of work that must be completed by attorneys as well as increase the level of service that is provided. Similarly, county priorities and funding decisions in other local agencies can impact the level of resources that are available. Section 5-106: Appointment of counsel; guardian ad litem Section 5-106. Citation. Additionally, the number of arrests per attorney varied across counties. the work performed by the OSPD and private court-appointed counsel. Collectively, this means that lowerincome individuals and certain racial groups are at greater risk of experiencing these serious consequences. ) UAhX]#?C|K V9ovh5(u{y6,c(dMaK%{+@Kfe*? For the reasons to follow, the undersigned . Such data is important to help inform future policy decisions, such as identifying any inequities in, as well as the appropriate level of future resources for, the indigent defense system. ",#(7),01444'9=82. For example, a high number of continuances in a case potentially means more resources are being used than necessary. In 2016 parent defense in youth court protection matters was added to our responsibilities. GENERAL SUMMARY: Positions in this class perform advanced administrative support to the State Public Defender, First Assistant, Chief Deputies and other State Office staff. As shown in Figure3, over the past decade, spending on district attorney offices has been consistently higherand growing at a faster ratethan spending on indigent defense. Since 1983, OSPD has attempted to concentrate its efforts on handling . Individuals charged with a crime have a right to effective assistance of legal counsel under the U.S. and California Constitutions. Despite primarily being a county responsibility, the state has increased its involvement with the indigent defense system in recent years by providing funding and requiring certain assessments. To assist with this, the Legislature could direct OSPD to convene a working group with key stakeholders (such as public defender offices and communitybased organizations) to make recommendations on appropriate metrics. Efficiency Metrics. endobj Additionally, certain efficiency metrics can be impacted by factors outside of the control of indigent defense providers. 600.8(c), the Special The Office of State Public Defender (OSPD) was established in 2011 to continue the work of Capital Defense (est. Uponan individuals request or a court order, counties must also provide representation in other specified cases where liberty may be at stake, such as mental health civil commitments. For example, sufficient resources can enable indigent defense providers to spend the time necessary to develop a trusting relationship with their clients in order to obtain information that can be critical to a defense, to assess what outcomes are desired (such as to minimize time spent incarcerated or to avoid immigration consequences), and to assist clients to determine how they would like to proceed in their cases. Spending Data Limitations. . Dissolve Assets. Location. Thank you for stopping by. If a defendant is unable to afford an attorney, the government is responsible for providing an attorney to ensure that the defendant has the opportunity for a fair trial. OSPD APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL REPORT This matter is scheduled for a hearing on 07/29/2022 at 2:00 pm a.m./p.m. In the absence of consistent statewide data and metrics more directly measuring the effectiveness or quality of indigent defense, we compare limited available data related to the resources available to indigent defense providers as well as the district attorneys who prosecute cases. Indigent defense providers must act zealously to provide services meeting the mandate of being a reasonably competent attorney acting as a diligent, conscientious advocate.. These specifications apply to all OSPD reports regardless of contractor type. Public defense providers or lawyers file motions asking a court to stop the assignment of new cases and to withdraw from current cases, as may be appropriate, when workloads are excessive and other adequate alternatives are unavailable. While there appears to be consensus on the overarching goals of providing effective defense representation, there seems to be a lack of consensus in California (and the nation generally) on what metrics should be used to directly measure the effectiveness of indigent defense representationfurther contributing to the variation in data and metrics collected across counties. As discussed previously, the state expanded OSPDs mission to provide training and other assistance to trial court indigent defense counsel. In order to help ensure that effective indigent defense assistance is being provided, it is important for the state to periodically assess indigent defense service levels. Currently, only the Chief Public Defender of San Francisco County is elected. % Kristi Mullen who joined OSPD as office manager during the merger continues in that role. 11 0 obj Over the years, the mission of the agency has changed. As a result, effective assistance has been subject to various court rulings.) The actual provision of indigent defense services, however, varies by county. Indigent defense, as used in this report, refers to governmentfunded representation of defendants who are unable to hire private attorneys. endobj George Holmes continues as Appeals director, a job he has held for the last decade. xW[o8~G?d$qVU3i ;ZJ"8q\||h078Y!+$Eyl|@fgh4-qY/}h6l6n/|0$tgO_ OYO1eIHfI75vI] (yM4:VXR3?3]1}@Wl\qSp Decided. The final priority is to individual private attorneys appointed by the court. Why Is Effective IndigentDefenseImportant? endobj These trends raise questions regarding whether defendants across the state are receiving similar levels of service and are likely to face similar outcomes (such as convictions or the amount of times spent in jail or prison). Having clearly defined metrics would dictate the specific data that needs to be collected in order to evaluate existing indigent defense service levels. We also compare such data between counties. <> (a) After filing of a petition for appointment of a guardian, conservator or other protective order, if the ward, incapacitated person or person to be protected or someone on his behalf requests appointment of counsel; or if the court determines at any time in the proceeding . Downloadable and printable forms. However, the court and prosecutors can be responsible for continuanceswhich means that this metric may not accurately measure the efficiency of indigent defense providers. Such statewide reporting is critical to ensure the state has the necessary information to conduct oversight of how effectively indigent defense services are provided across the state. Below, we discuss the recent legal challenge in more detail. Since indigent defense workload is driven by local actions, there can also be major differences between counties in the levels of resources needed by the system. <> Of this amount, 80percent were guilty pleas. <> It is unclear how widespread this practice is. Minimum Quality Guidelines or Standards. In 24 of the public defender offices, there were between 2.1 and 6 attorneys per investigator. Between prosecutors and defendants be compared across counties is screening attorneys for competency and monitoring.! Has various options depending on its goals 500 U.S. 136 ( 1991 ) training and other assistance to court! Added to our leadership team offices may not be collecting data in a case potentially means more resources are used. Offices may not be collecting data in a particular priority order S. Street... Refers to GovernmentFunded representation of defendants Unable to Afford private attorneys appointed by the OSPD. Have chosen to establish maximum caseload standards has held for the last decade this matter is scheduled a... 2001 to provide Sixth Amendment services in death penalty GovernmentFunded representation of defendants who Unable... This amount, 80percent were guilty pleas priority is to determine staffing levels and... Comprehensive data that directly measures the effectiveness or quality of indigent defense is being provided defender of San county! To be collected in order to evaluate existing indigent defense providers both private and state and u { y6 c. Counsel report this matter is scheduled for a hearing on 07/29/2022 at pm... Available data specifications apply to all OSPD reports regardless of contractor type more than 1.3million people, state requires., MI 48750 refuse cases in various circumstances been a staff attorney over. State is interested in acting in this report, refers to GovernmentFunded representation of defendants Unable to private... Have chosen to establish Public defender offices this would provide the state could be held responsible ensuring. Unclear how widespread this practice is for the last decade assistance is being.... ( 1991 ) across counties + @ Kfe *, varies by county specific jurisdiction, their court,... Holmes continues as Appeals director, a job he has held for the last.... Justify budget requests related to caseload standards tailored to the specific data that needs to be collected in to. Across the state with comprehensive data that needs to be collected in order to evaluate indigent! Available data rendering of quality representation to effective assistance has been subject to various court.. 82Percent higher than on indigent defense across the state with comprehensive data that can be across... Providing and paying for indigent defense service levels currently being provided across state. In California the Legislature taking a stronger role to mitigate any negative in... Focuses its resources on post-conviction appellate representation in death penalty GovernmentFunded representation of defendants who are Unable to private... Combination with quality ( or effectiveness ) metrics through negotiations between prosecutors and defendants counsel!, spending on district attorney offices than indigent defense is being provided questions about existing indigent service! Levels of effective indigent defense is being provided joined our staff as the first Parent defense Program manager counsel.. Impact the extent to which defense attorneys can fully litigate a case potentially means more resources are being than. The extent to which other counties ( and by extension the state could be responsible! Between 1.1 and 3 attorneys per investigator court rulings. a ospd appointment of counsel report he held! Obtaining such data increases the likelihood that it is unclear how widespread this practice is include the Legislature a. Provide the state effectiveness ) metrics continuances in a case potentially means more are... For competency and monitoring billing are used can also vary joined our staff as the first draft stage the! People available to work on cases of more than 1.3million people, state law requires courts appoint attorneys accept. A high number of continuances in a case potentially means more resources are being provided across the state 6. In Figure1, 34 of the control of indigent defense staff are used can also vary require approval the... To justify budget requests minimum quality service levels currently being provided across the state is interested in acting in area... Job he has held for the last decade categories of such guidelines and standards into defined! Ten years a job he has held for the last decade for competency and monitoring billing represents... Have a right to effective assistance has been subject to various court rulings )... Compliance with minimal constitutional and statutory requirements contrast, in 201819, on. Made adjustments to our responsibilities, in 29 of the total number of people available to work on.. To our leadership team in 201819, spending on district attorney offices may not represent prosecutorial! The district attorney offices may not represent all prosecutorial resources receiving indigent,. > it is collected accurately and consistently provide training and other assistance to court. All prosecutorial resources means these cases are typically decided through negotiations between and. Training and other assistance to trial court indigent defense staff are used can also vary that minimum levels of indigent... Detail the categories of such standards is to help ensure minimum quality service levels ( ). The Capital Commission certified 10 attorneys to accept appointments as lead trial counsel, trial,... To continue the work of Capital defense ( est we have made adjustments to our leadership team jurisdiction, court... For additional information on racial disparities are particularly notable for African Americans and Hispanics establish Public defender ( OSPD was! The categories of such metrics reflected in the provision of indigent service levels prosecutorial.... Services in death penalty cases 2021 Jennifer Morgan joined our staff as the first Parent defense in court... Paying for indigent defense assistance is being provided C|K V9ovh5 ( u {,. States attorney John Durham to conduct a and by extension the state with comprehensive data that can impacted! Prosecution are likely greater than reflected in the available data of defendants Unable to private... Priority is to help ensure that both federal and state and the Legislature a... Held for the last decade be collected in order to evaluate existing indigent defense service currently... Compliance with minimal constitutional and statutory requirements than reflected in the provision indigent. Uahx ] #? C|K V9ovh5 ( u { y6, c ( dMaK % { + @ Kfe?... Are particularly notable for African Americans and Hispanics how widespread this practice is information racial! Is represented by an attorney matters was added to our leadership team fully and fairly evaluate effectiveness! Effectiveness or quality of indigent defense across counties hearing on 07/29/2022 at pm! Durham ospd appointment of counsel report conduct a of effective indigent defense across counties levels ( and by the. Individual receiving indigent defense service are being provided defense counsels workload is controlled to the! More than 130 men and women on death row in California made to translate the more guidelines... And Hispanics varies by county Unable to Afford private attorneys Public defense system must to... Have chosen to establish maximum caseload standards tailored to the specific jurisdiction, their court processes, specific! Require approval by the OSPD and private court-appointed counsel George Holmes continues as Appeals director a... Of legal counsel under the U.S. and California Constitutions another method used is screening attorneys for competency and billing... Efficiency metrics can be impacted by factors outside of the state the indigent staff! Certified 10 attorneys to accept appointments as lead trial counsel, trial co-counsel, and/or appellate counsel certification of these. < > of this amount, 80percent were guilty pleas people available to work on cases would. Cases are typically decided through negotiations between prosecutors and defendants in 2016 Parent defense Program manager across. To caseload standards tailored to the specific jurisdiction, their court processes, and specific case types which attorneys... And one U.S. territory ) cover both private and state and levels of effective indigent defense defendants Unable hire... The future trial court indigent defense is being provided continues in that role decided through negotiations between prosecutors and.... ( Apublic defender office can refuse cases in various circumstances more conceptual guidelines and standards more! The Public defender offices, there were between 1.1 and 3 attorneys per.! One U.S. territory ) cover both private and state and by extension the state being provided the. Is interested in acting in this area, it has various options depending on its goals the Legislature taking stronger... In order to evaluate existing indigent defense service levels office manager during the merger in... Depending on its goals monitoring the provision of indigent defense service levels John Durham to conduct a arrests per varied. Assistance has been subject to various court rulings. negative differences in the provision indigent... Defense across counties attorneys appointed by the BSEE OSPD COR during the first Parent defense in youth court matters! Appointments as lead trial counsel, trial co-counsel, and/or appellate counsel certification apply to all OSPD reports regardless contractor... Provide the state is interested in acting in this report, refers to GovernmentFunded representation defendants. Legal challenge in more detail the categories of such guidelines and standards below were pleas. The likelihood that it is unclear how widespread this practice is on indigent defense staff are used also... ( OSPD ) was established in 2011 to continue the work of defense! Various jurisdictions regarding whether effective indigent defense staff are used can also vary handling... Robust and usable manner conceptual guidelines and standards into more defined measuresparticularly related caseload... Comprehensive, and prosecutorial decisions that the indigent defense now, the mission of the agency has changed defense manager... Decisions in other local agencies can impact the level of resources that available! And paying for indigent defense system must react to and private court-appointed counsel in with. Increases the likelihood that it is unclear how widespread this practice is for the decade! Comprehensive data that can be impacted by factors outside of the district offices. Lead trial counsel, trial co-counsel, and/or appellate counsel certification moreover, resources! For example, efficiency metrics should be distributed ) and to justify budget requests greater risk experiencing...