NCJ Number
55947
Date Published
1977
Length
141 pages
Annotation
THIS STATISTICAL AND NARRATIVE REPORT DOCUMENTS THE UNEXPECTED INCREASE IN PUBLIC DEFENDER CASES, CHANGES IN OFFICE STRUCTURE MADE TO HANDLE THIS INCREASE, AND A PILOT PROGRAM TO REDUCE DEFENDER TURNOVER.
Abstract
THE OFFICE OF THE DEFENDER GENERAL OF VERMONT BEGAN ISSUING ANNUAL REPORTS IN 1976. THAT REPORT GAVE AN HISTORICAL OVERVIEW OF THE DEFENDER'S OFFICE. THIS REPORT DETAILS THE RESULTS OF A MANAGEMENT STUDY AND CHANGES IN THE OFFICE MADE AS A RESULT OF THIS STUDY. DURING FISCAL YEAR 1977 THE INCREASE IN CASELOAD WAS MORE THAN FOUR TIMES THAT ANTICIPATED (A 22.7 PERCENT INCREASE IN NUMBER OF CASES DISPOSED, A 22.3 PERCENT IN NUMBER OF CASES ADDED, AND A 15.5 PERCENT IN CASELOAD-COMPARED TO A 5 PERCENT ANTICIPATED GAIN IN EACH CATEGORY). THIS INCREASE HASTENED THE IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW TWO-PERSON OFFICES WITH SUPPORT PERSONNEL TO REPLACE THE ONE-PERSON OFFICES. NOW THE TYPICAL OFFICE CONTAINS TWO ATTORNEYS, ONE PARALEGAL TRIAL ASSISTANT, AND A SECRETARY. A MAJOR PROBLEM HAS BEEN THE TURNOVER IN PERSONNEL. REASONS WHY AN ATTORNEY 'BURNS OUT' AFTER 4 OR 5 YEARS IN THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE ARE REVIEWED. TWO PILOT PROJECTS HAVE BEEN STARTED TO REDUCE TURNOVER. IN ONE THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE WILL PROVIDE LEGAL SERVICES BY CONTRACT, THUS ALLOWING THE ATTORNEYS TO HANDLE CIVIL CASES AS WELL. IN THE OTHER PROJECT, THREE ATTORNEYS, EACH RECEIVING TWO-THIRDS THE ANNUAL SALARY, ARE SHARING THE WORK OF A TWO-PERSON OFFICE. THEY WORK FOR 8 MONTHS, AND RECEIVE 4 MONTHS TO DO WORK OF THEIR OWN CHOOSING. INSERVICE TRAINING FOR PUBLIC DEFENDERS IS ALSO BEING DEVELOPED. STATISTICS GIVE DETAILED BREADKOWNS OF THE WORKLOAD BY TYPE OF CASE AND BY DISTRICT OF THE STATE. (GLR)