Department Budgets

Public Defender

— Budget and Operational Plan —

Mission Statement

To courageously defend the accused. To demand equal justice for all. To empower our clients with inspired advocacy in the courtroom and community. We are on a mission to elevate public defense, one client at a time.

Department Budget Overview

The Office of the Public Defender (PDO) provides services for clients that cannot afford representation, including defense of persons accused of crimes or facing involuntary commitments, and representation in specialty courts including Veteran Court, Behavioral Health Court, Parole and Reentry Court.

PDO provides holistic defense, including early representation, multidisciplinary defense teams staffed by attorneys, investigators, social workers and advocates, and seamless access to support services that address the root causes of system involvement.

Department Budget Overview

Budget Summary of Changes

PDO is nearing the conclusion of its first year of operations. Initial staffing and budget were based on predictions, and the actual experience of opening and operating a County department has provided us new information about what we need to provide core services to the community. The PDO budget includes scheduled and negotiated salary and benefit increases and recommends continuing to build capacity through the net addition of 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions: an Attorney, a Legal Secretary, and a Clerk, which is offset by the deletion of a Social Work Supervisor. Additionally, PDO will continue its investment in early representation and holistic defense, attorney and staff training, advocacy for youth, and collaborating on reentry services for clients.

Open the Services Overview or Operational Plan Objectives below for more details.

Total Expenses
$16,920,893
3%
1
Total Revenues
$692,416
48%
2
General Fund Contribution
$16,228,477
2%
3
Other Fund Contributions
$0
0%
3
Funded Staffing
60.00
2
4
Website
Public Defender
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Service Overview
Operational Plan Objectives
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Footnotes

1 – Indicates change from FY 2021-22 Allowed Budget

2 – General Fund Contribution is the share of General County Revenues (primarily property tax and other local taxes) allocated to each department. Other funds that contribute to this budget are shown on the Budget Details page.

3 – Indicates change from FY 2021-22 Adjusted Funded Positions (including Board-approved mid-year changes as of April 1, 2022).

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This service supports various department objectives