Public defender warns cuts would raise caseloads above ABA standards, risking ineffective assistance

The public defender told the Judicial & Public Safety Committee on Aug. 14 that her office is staffed with a majority of attorneys and that caseloads already exceed American Bar Association (ABA) recommendations.

The office reported 2024 average caseloads of 199 felonies per attorney (ABA recommended average: 150) and 384 misdemeanors per attorney (ABA recommendation: 300). The public defender said cutting staff to meet proposed budget reductions would force the office to eliminate attorney positions and leave judges, clerks and the justice system itself with heavier backlogs. “Cutting the amount that has been suggested … is 8 attorneys and 1 support staff,” the public defender said, adding that removing attorneys would render some courtrooms functionally understaffed.

The presenter highlighted how modern court practice increases workload—body‑worn camera footage and digital video require extensive review, with one municipal case involving 42 videos that had to be reviewed to advise a client. She emphasized the office’s starting salary changes in recent years to improve retention and said the office has historically returned funds to the county when under budget.

The committee accepted the public defender’s budget presentation for review; no formal vote was taken during the meeting.