HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 06121984 - 1.35 3s
T0: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
FROM: CHARLES E. DIXON Contra
Interim Copnty Administrator Costa
DATE: June 6, 1984 County
SUBJECT: SUPPORT FOR INCLUSION OF FUNDS IN THE 1984/85 STATE BUDGET FOR COUNTY
INDIGENT DEFENSE COSTS
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) do BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
Recommendation
Support the inclusion in the 1984/85 State budget of funds to support, in part, the
cost of indigent defense counsel in counties and authorize the Chairman to send a
letter to the Governor urging his support.
Background and Justification
Section 987.6 of the Penal Code permits the State to "pay to counties an amount not
to exceed ten percent of the amounts actually expended by the counties in providing
counsel in accordance with the law, whether by public defender, assigned counsel or both
for persons charged with violation of the State criminal law. .." This section of the
Penal Code was added by Chapter 1334 of the Statutes of 1965. Its purpose was to
recognize, in effect, that State Statute and case law mandate that the counties provide
and pay for defense services to indigents in criminal cases whether by a public defender
office or assigned counsel.
In fiscal year 1964/65, $500,000 was provided statewide, which represented 73� percent
of the total statewide costs of such services. In 1968/69, this statewide contribution
was increased to $775,000 and remained at that level through fiscal year 1982/83.
However, by that time, this amount represented slightly less than 1 percent of county
defense costs. There was no provision in the 1983/84 State budget because of the
Governor's opposition. In the proposed 1984/85 State budget, both the Assembly and the
Senate have inserted into the proposed budget $775,000. This would mean approximately
$20,000 for Contra Costa County.
I believe it appropriate for your Board to support the inclusion of this item in the
State budget and to authorize the Board Chairman to send a letter to the Governor
supporting this. Although the amount of funds to this County would be small, it would
be a beginning recognition by the State that the rapidly escalating costs of indigent
defense services in recent years is a result of State and case law mandates and not
subject to substantial County control.
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE:
- X RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATIOM OF BOARD COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE(S) CEO
ACTION OF BOARD ON APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS _
UNANIMOUS (ABSENT _ ) I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
AYES: NOES: AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN.
CC: Criminal Justice Agency
Public Defender's Office ATTESTED
J.R OLSSON. COUN Y CLERK
AND EX OFFICIO CLERK OF THE BOARD
ao 55
M382/7-e8 BY , DEPUTY