To: Martin L. Cousineau, Finance Committee Chairperson
From: Nathaniel C. Perry, III, Chief Public Defender
title
RE: Approval of a request to create, post, & fill two (2) new Assistant Public Defender Junior Associate positions; these positions are fully grant funded
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
Approval of request to create, post, and fill two (2) new Assistant Public Defender Junior Associate positions; these positions are fully grant funded
BACKGROUND:
The Office of the Public Defender is responsible for providing qualified, effective assistance of counsel guaranteed by the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Michigan. In addition, our office is required to meet standards set by the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC) for continued grant funding. On October 24, 2023, the MIDC passed Standard 7 requiring specific attorney qualifications, both in years and trial experience, for different case levels. In addition, Standard 6 mandates caseload maximums. Our office strives to be proactive in ensuring we have enough attorneys to handle the felony caseload and that attorneys gain the necessary experience to comply with the standard.
DISCUSSION:
To continue efforts to attract and retain passionate and talented individuals to Genesee County, our office seeks to create two Assistant Public Defender Junior Associate positions for recent law school graduates to work within our office prior to passing the state bar.
IMPACT ON HUMAN RESOURCES:
The positions will need to be created and the positions filled.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
The funding for these positions is provided by the MIDC grant. No County appropriation is required.
Source of Funding: MIDC: 2921-283.00
IMPACT ON FACILITIES:
The Chief Public Defender is working with County administration regarding future staff space needs.
IMPACT ON TECHNOLOGY:
New staff will require the usual equipment.
CONFORMITY TO COUNTY PRIORITIES:
The Office of the Public Defender is responsibl...
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