KINGMAN - A new plan is in the works to take some of the confusion out of indigent defense at the County Superior Court.
The County Public Defender's and Legal Defender's offices will present a plan during Tuesday's Board of Supervisor's meeting that will create an Office of Indigent Legal Services. The Board will meet at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday in the County Administration Building, 700 W. Beale St.
The office, according to material provided to the Board, will reorganize how indigent defense cases are processed.
Currently, if a defendant cannot afford to pay for an attorney, a judge assigns the case to the PDO. If the PDO has a conflict of interest in taking the case or currently does not have an attorney that can take the case, the case is then assigned to the LDO. If the LDO has a conflict of interest or does not have an attorney who can take the case, it is sent back to the PDO, which then assigns it, via a contract, to an outside attorney. Outside attorneys are paid a set hourly wage per case.
If approved, the director of the new Office of Indigent Legal Services would determine which indigent defense cases will go to the LDO or PDO, and which ones will be contracted to outside attorneys. The office will also oversee the use of investigators, experts, interpreters and other services used by attorneys in order to keep costs down.
The idea is to create a more efficient and cost effective way of processing and recording cases, said Ron Gilleo, legal defender.
Both the LDO and PDO have been working on a more efficient way of handling indigent defense for a number of years, he said. Having a single office that determines where the cases go and keeps track of the cases makes things easier and reduces ethical conflicts.
Public Defender Dana Hlavac was not available for comment.
The Board will also consider authorizing the three supervisors and the county manager to choose any make or model vehicle up to $40,000 to replace their current vehicles.
The Board is also expected to:
• Authorize the sale, at public auction, of miscellaneous county property.
• Approve the signed petitions regarding the annexation of the Santa Claus area into the Golden Valley Fire District.
• Approve $23,000 for Arizona Department of Environmental Quality engineering fees for Phase V of the Golden Valley Improvement District expansion.
Reader Comments
Posted: Thursday, February 19, 2009
Article comment by:
Grateful Recipient of Community Legal Services
Community Legal Services is the agency located in Kingman that provides many legal services to local clients, based upon their income. I have needed their services and have been very grateful for the professional assistance I have received... Something I would never be able to afford. I don't know what area they are able to assist with (mine is with Social Securuity), but would encourage income- qualified individuals to contact them if they need legal assistance. I had a domestic issue surrounding child custody and support I also needed help with... They could not provide assistance at that time due to their limited staff and funds, but they did provide me with useful, legal information I was able to take with me. The attorney I currently have working for me at CLS was recently laid off, but has continued to work on my case as a volunteer... He is my angel and definitely restored my faith (at least in him!) that there are some good attorneys out there that aren't just out to make a buck. I would highly recommend this agency to other "poor" individuals who desperately need legal services.
They need a new vehicle is a bunch of B S. What does Hlavac think this money is going to come from, Does he know what $40K will buy in todays economy, I understand everyone has the right to an attorney but this is dumbfounded, COME ON DANA HAVE A CLUE!!!!!!!
Posted: Monday, February 16, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
WOW! Up to 40k for a work car. I hope they make sure to order extra padding on the seats. Would not want their soft overpaid govt. employee [rear ends] to be uncomfortable
Posted: Monday, February 16, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
@Cindy - Legal Aid is located on Beverly at the corner of Western Ave., across from the hospital and near the VA clinic.
Posted: Monday, February 16, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
Hlavac is back to his corrupt ways. How is this guy even in the position he is in? What does he have on Ron Walker? How is he allowed to continue to waste our tax dollars? I wonder is he is going to buy his way into Judge Chavez's seat as well.
Posted: Monday, February 16, 2009
Article comment by:
Cindy
@no name provided - legal aid on Beverly? where? Could you care to tell us exactly where? Alot of people I know would really like to know where its located? Is it just a referral service to Attorney's here in town that won't represent them? Please tell us.
Posted: Monday, February 16, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
why in the world would the county supervisors need a $40,000 vehicle of thier choice??? especially with the economy the way it is wouldnt it be more RESPONSIBLE to buy a fuel efficiant vehicle in the $20,000 range. I have one and i have to drive to havasu and back every day. ... oh yea, i forgott, they are elected OFFICALS and therefore privelaged and deserve a nicer vehicle.
Posted: Monday, February 16, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
Kingman already has legal aid on Beverly Ave. Try looking around your own town before making inane comments.
Posted: Monday, February 16, 2009
Article comment by:
C. Kohli
Why not just have a Legal Aid Services so all poor members of the community can have access to legal services, not just those charged with a crime.
$40,000 to buy a vehicle of their choice. For $25,000 our County Board Members and County Manager can buy a 2009 Hyundai Sonata luxury edition. With the savings of $60,000, they could donate the cash overflow to the school district... fat chance of that happening!!!
