Commissioners approve appropriations for indigent attorney fees; county reimbursed in part by Ohio Public Defender

Lorain County commissioners approved an appropriation that county staff said covers indigent attorney fees across several courts, including domestic relations.

County staff explained that the appropriation funds attorney fees related to domestic relations court and that similar expense accounts exist for common pleas, appellate and municipal courts. Staff said those expenses fall back to the county's general fund in many cases and can include fees for foreign judges, juror fees and grand jury expenses.

Kristen Richardson, Deputy Code Administrator for Domestic Relations and Juvenile, told the board that attorney fees are currently reimbursed at about 85% by the Ohio Public Defender's Office, and that the Auditor's Office submits reimbursement requests that bring those funds back into the county general fund.

"These attorney fees are also reimbursed currently at 85% from the Ohio Public Defender's Office," Richardson said. "So the Auditor's Office turns in those attorney fee reimbursement requests, and those funds do come back into the county's general fund."

County staff noted the reimbursement percentage can vary; one staff member said they have seen rates as low as 70% and as high as 100% in prior years because the formula is variable. Commissioners approved the appropriation by unanimous voice vote.

Less critical details: commissioners said some of these costs are difficult for county management to control and emphasized efforts to avoid litigation where possible.