HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 12151998 - P1 1.TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Contra
FROM: PHIL BATCHELOR Costa
County Administrator �ounty
DATE: December 15, 1998
SUBJECT: AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE PRESENTED TO OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER
Specific Request(s) or Recommendation(s) & Background & Justification
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Present the 1998 departmental Award For Excellence to the Office of the Public Defender, Charles James, Public
Defender.
REASONS FOR RECOMM NDATIONIBACKGROUND:
The Board of Supervisors, in 1985, established a program for recognizing outstanding performance by
County departments. In December 1985 and each year thereafter, the Board has recognized a
department with the Award for Excellence.
The Staff of the Public Defender's Office have been highly productive and effective advocates, satisfying
their professional and legal mandate with unusual dedication. While the serious cases assigned to the
department have increased dramatically in recent years, the staff have continued to perform their
function with extraordinary diligence and professionalism. Professional, clerical and support staff have
demonstrated in their efforts a personal commitment to their work beyond basic requirements. When
engaged in trial work, it is not unusual for an attorney and support staff to be available any hour of the
day or night to do what is necessary to prepare the defense. While clients and their families often show
appreciation, seldom do the citizens of the County through their representatives, the members of the
Board of Supervisors, have an opportunity to express their appreciation for a job well done. This is such
an occasion.
The Office of the Public Defender has made commendable efforts to control expenditures and operate
in the most cost effective manner consistent with its mandated obligations. The budget of the Office of
the Public Defender compares very favorably to comparable offices throughout the state. The Alternate
Defender's Office with its continuing cost effectiveness is a primary example of cost containment while
maintaining quality representation.
Staff attorneys enjoy an outstanding reputation in the legal community, are active in professional
associations statewide, many teaching part time in local law school and through their work achieving
recognized leadership among the defense bar. The office has been active in some of the most important
appellate opinions in the criminal law area over the past year, notably in the area of the Death Penalty,
Three Strikes Law, and the emerging law of Sexual Offender incarceration. Members of the staff have
achieved statewide reputations as experts in these and other aspects of the law.
Charles James, Public Defender, and the entire staff deserve recognition for the commitment and energy
they bring to their duties.
Continued on Attachment: YES Signature:
Recommendation of County Administrator
Recommendation of Board Committee
Approve Other
Signature(s):
Action of Board on: Approved as Recommended Other----
Vote of Supervisors: I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
X AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
Unanimous(Absent` ` - } AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE
Ayes: Noes: ) BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON DATE SHOWN.
Contact: George Roemer(335-1055) Attested: December 15,_ 1998
cc: County Administrator Phil Batchelor,Clerk of
Office of the Public Defender the Board of Su ervisors
County Library a County A7,)1n4trator'
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