[Vision2020] BOCC: PD discussion 1-12-04
DonaldH675@aol.com
DonaldH675@aol.com
Mon, 12 Jan 2004 02:41:19 EST
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January 11, 2004
=20
Dear Commissioners Kimmell, Nelson, and Stronscheim,
=20
Thank you again for addressing my concerns about the office of public=20
defender in Latah County. I particularly want to thank Commissioner Kimmell=
for=20
sending me material that clarified several of my questions. Before discussin=
g the=20
issues I raised, I would like to comment briefly on my initial letter to you=
. =20
In that letter, I expressed uneasiness over the published remarks of one our=
=20
current public defenders, Greg Dickison. Although Greg Dickison=E2=80=99s c=
olumns in =E2=80=9C
Credenda Agenda=E2=80=9D may be characterized as the judicial system he hope=
s will=20
someday come to pass, it was not my intention then, or now, to suggest that=20=
his=20
advocacy for his clients is less than professional and ethical. I must stat=
e=20
emphatically however, that I do not share his vision which I believe is=20
antithetical to a democratic society. =20
=20
I have had a concern about the oversight of the Public Defenders office for=20
several years. In the past I have visited with staff at the courthouse=20
regarding these issues and in particular how case outcomes are recorded. In=20=
my=20
previous letter I referenced Idaho Code 19-864:
=20
[Idaho Code 19-864:
(a) A defending attorney shall keep appropriate records respecting each=20
needy person whom he represents under this act.
(b) The public defender in those counties electing to establish and=20
maintains such an office, shall submit an annual report to the board of coun=
ty=20
commissioners showing the number of persons represented under this act, the=20=
crimes=20
involved, the outcome of each case, and the expenditures (totaled by kind)=20
made in carrying out the responsibilities imposed by this act. A copy of th=
e=20
report shall also be submitted to each court having criminal jurisdiction in=
the=20
counties that the program serves.]
=20
It is my hope that part (b) will be adopted by the BOCC and that current P.D=
.=20
contracts will be amended to include it as a job performance expectation.
=20
In considering whether this is a fair request, I consulted additional=20
materials. The American Bar Association, House of Delegates adopted on Febr=
uary 5,=20
2002, The Ten Principles of a Public Defense Delivery System. =20
<http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/downloads/sclaid/10principles.pdf >
These principles describe a minimum standard for =E2=80=9Ceffective, efficie=
nt, high=20
quality, ethical, conflict-free representation=E2=80=9D to indigent clients.=
I urge=20
you to read and consider the applicability of these principles to the=20
selection, oversight, and funding of the public defenders in Latah County.=20
The ABA=E2=80=99s Ten Principles is a broadly written document. If changes=20=
are in=20
order I ask that you also include in your deliberations =E2=80=9CWashington=20=
Defender=20
Association Standards For Public Defense Services=E2=80=9D endorsed by the W=
ashington=20
State Bar Association Board of Governors in January, 1990.<=20
http://www.defensenet.org/resources/WDAstand.htm> The WDA draws heavily on A=
BA standards, and=20
although the document is almost fourteen years old, it remains timely and=20
appropriate to our discussion.
Several of my initial questions remain unanswered:
1. I understand that you do not employ a bid process, but rather, a RFP=20
(Request For Proposals). How many RFP=E2=80=99s did you receive for the pub=
lic defender=20
contract?
2. Do you have a copy of the criteria and procedure used to evaluate the RF=
P=E2=80=99
s? (In reading the material Commissioner Kimmell sent me regarding the=20
selection process, I noted IDC 67-2320 (2) (c).)
3. How do you monitor job performance? Is there a formal procedure in plac=
e?
4. Does this evaluation differ from evaluations performed in other tax=20
funded county offices?
5. What is the amount budgeted for extra expense related to a clients=20
defense? (Latah County Line Item 08-18-488-03)
6. During the evaluation process, do you have reference a detailed report=20
including the case number, the charge and/or type of crime, hours spent in=20
defense of each specific case, and the case outcome for each year of a publi=
c=20
defenders contract? Can the public access this report? =20
7. Washington Defender Association Standards, number 3 suggests: =E2=80=9CI=
n=20
jurisdictions where assigned counsel or contract attorneys also maintain pri=
vate law=20
practices, the contracting agency should ensure that attorneys not accept mo=
re=20
cases than they can reasonably discharge. In these situations, the caseload=20
ceiling should be based on the percentage of time the lawyer devotes to publ=
ic=20
defense.=E2=80=9D Further, WDA=E2=80=99s Standard Thirteen addresses =E2=
=80=9Climitations on private=20
practice of contract attorneys=E2=80=9D: =E2=80=9CContracts for public defen=
se=20
representation with private attorneys or firms shall set limits on the amoun=
t of privately=20
retained work which can be accepted by the contracting attorney. These limit=
s=20
shall be based on the percentage of a full-time caseload which the public=20
defense cases represent.=E2=80=9D Would you consider a similar ceiling for L=
atah County=20
Public Defenders? =20
Thank you for sending materials to help me understand these complex issues.=20
It is my hope that you understand that I raise these questions not in a spir=
it=20
of confrontation, but rather, to seek a clearer understanding of the process=
. =20
Sincerely,
Rosemary Huskey
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<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3D3><FONT face=
=3D"Times New Roman"><st1:date Month=3D"1" Day=3D"11" Year=3D"2004">January=20=
11, 2004</st1:date><o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face=3D"Times=20=
New Roman" size=3D3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3D3><FONT face=
=3D"Times New Roman">Dear Commissioners Kimmell, Nelson, and Stronscheim,<o:=
p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face=3D"Times=20=
New Roman" size=3D3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3D3><FONT face=
=3D"Times New Roman">Thank you again for addressing my concerns about the of=
fice of public defender in <st1:place><st1:PlaceName>Latah</st1:PlaceName> <=
st1:PlaceType>County</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun=
: yes"> </SPAN>I particularly want to thank Commissioner Kimmell for s=
ending me material that clarified several of my questions. Before discussing=
the issues I raised, I would like to comment briefly on my initial letter t=
o you.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In that letter, I expr=
essed uneasiness over the published remarks of one our current public defend=
ers, Greg Dickison.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Although=20=
Greg Dickison=E2=80=99s columns in =E2=80=9CCredenda Agenda=E2=80=9D may&nbs=
p;be characterized as the judicial system he hopes will someday come to pass=
, it was not my intention then, or now, to suggest that his advocacy for his=
clients is less than professional and ethical.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun:=20=
yes"> </SPAN>I must state emphatically however, that I do not share hi=
s vision which I believe is antithetical to a democratic society.<SPAN style=
=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face=3D"Times=20=
New Roman" size=3D3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3D3><FONT face=
=3D"Times New Roman">I have had a concern about the oversight of the Public=20=
Defenders office for several years.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> =20=
</SPAN>In the past I have visited with staff at the courthouse regarding the=
se issues and in particular how case outcomes are recorded. </FONT></FONT><F=
ONT size=3D3><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">In my previous letter I referenc=
ed Idaho Code 19-864:<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face=3D"Times=20=
New Roman" size=3D3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3D3><FONT face=
=3D"Times New Roman">[<st1:State><st1:place>Idaho</st1:place></st1:State> Co=
de 19-864:<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3D3><FONT face=
=3D"Times New Roman">(a) A defending attorney shall=20=
keep appropriate records respecting each needy person whom he represents und=
er this act.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3D3><FONT face=
=3D"Times New Roman">(b) The public defender in thos=
e counties electing to establish and maintains such an office, shall submit=20=
an annual report to the board of county commissioners showing the number of=20=
persons represented under this act, the crimes involved, the outcome of each=
case, and the expenditures (totaled by kind) made in carrying out the respo=
nsibilities imposed by this act. A copy of the report shall also be su=
bmitted to each court having criminal jurisdiction in the counties that the=20=
program serves.]<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face=3D"Times=20=
New Roman" size=3D3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3D3><FONT face=
=3D"Times New Roman">It is my hope that part (b) will be adopted by the BOCC=
and that current P.D. contracts will be amended to include it as a job perf=
ormance expectation.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face=3D"Times=20=
New Roman" size=3D3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3D3><FONT face=
=3D"Times New Roman">In considering whether this is a fair request, I consul=
ted additional materials.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The=
American Bar Association, House of Delegates adopted on <st1:date Month=3D"=
2" Day=3D"5" Year=3D"2002">February 5, 2002</st1:date>, <I style=3D"mso-bidi=
-font-style: normal">The Ten Principles of a Public Defense Delivery System.=
</I><SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN style=3D"mso-space=
run: yes"> </SPAN><http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/downloads/scl=
aid/10principles.pdf ><o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3D3><FONT face=
=3D"Times New Roman">These principles describe a minimum standard for =E2=
=80=9Ceffective, efficient, high quality, ethical, conflict-free representat=
ion=E2=80=9D to indigent clients.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </=
SPAN>I urge you to read and consider the applicability of these principles t=
o the selection, oversight, and funding of the public defenders in <st1:plac=
e><st1:PlaceName>Latah</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType>County</st1:PlaceType>=
</st1:place>. <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<H1 style=3D"MARGIN: auto 0in; TEXT-ALIGN: left" align=3Dleft><SPAN style=
=3D"FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: 'T=
imes New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">The </SPAN><st1:City><st1:place=
><SPAN style=3D"FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: windowtext; FON=
T-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">ABA</SPAN></st1:pla=
ce></st1:City><SPAN style=3D"FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: wi=
ndowtext; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">=E2=
=80=99s Ten Principles is a broadly written document.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spac=
erun: yes"> </SPAN>If changes are in order I ask that you also include=
in your deliberations =E2=80=9CWashington Defender Association Standards Fo=
r Public Defense Services=E2=80=9D endorsed by the Washington State Bar Asso=
ciation Board of Governors in January, 1990.< http://www.defensenet.org/r=
esources/WDAstand.htm> The WDA draws heavily on ABA standards, and althou=
gh the document is almost fourteen years old, it remains timely and appropri=
ate to our discussion.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></H1>
<H1 style=3D"MARGIN: auto 0in; TEXT-ALIGN: left" align=3Dleft><SPAN style=
=3D"FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: 'T=
imes New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Several of my initial questions=
remain unanswered:<o:p></o:p></SPAN></H1>
<H1 style=3D"MARGIN: auto 0in; TEXT-ALIGN: left" align=3Dleft><SPAN style=
=3D"FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: 'T=
imes New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">1.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun:=20=
yes"> </SPAN>I understand that you do not employ a bid process, but ra=
ther, a RFP (Request For Proposals).<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> =
</SPAN>How many RFP=E2=80=99s did you receive for the public defender contr=
act?<o:p></o:p></SPAN></H1>
<H1 style=3D"MARGIN: auto 0in; TEXT-ALIGN: left" align=3Dleft><SPAN style=
=3D"FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: 'T=
imes New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">2.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun:=20=
yes"> </SPAN>Do you have a copy of the criteria and procedure used to=20=
evaluate the RFP=E2=80=99s?<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><=
SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>(In reading the material Commi=
ssioner Kimmell sent me regarding the selection process, I noted IDC 67-2320=
(2) (c).)<o:p></o:p></SPAN></H1>
<H1 style=3D"MARGIN: auto 0in; TEXT-ALIGN: left" align=3Dleft><SPAN style=
=3D"FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: 'T=
imes New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">3.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun:=20=
yes"> </SPAN>How do you monitor job performance?<SPAN style=3D"mso-spa=
cerun: yes"> </SPAN>Is there a formal procedure in place?<o:p></o:p></=
SPAN></H1>
<H1 style=3D"MARGIN: auto 0in; TEXT-ALIGN: left" align=3Dleft><SPAN style=
=3D"FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: 'T=
imes New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">4.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun:=20=
yes"> </SPAN>Does this evaluation differ from evaluations performed in=
other tax funded county offices?<o:p></o:p></SPAN></H1>
<H1 style=3D"MARGIN: auto 0in; TEXT-ALIGN: left" align=3Dleft><SPAN style=
=3D"FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: 'T=
imes New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">5.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun:=20=
yes"> </SPAN>What is the amount budgeted for extra expense related to=20=
a clients defense?<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>(</SP=
AN><st1:place><st1:PlaceName><SPAN style=3D"FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-SIZE:=20=
12pt; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-weigh=
t: bold">Latah</SPAN></st1:PlaceName><SPAN style=3D"FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FON=
T-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-fo=
nt-weight: bold"> </SPAN><st1:PlaceType><SPAN style=3D"FONT-WEIGHT: normal;=20=
FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi=
-font-weight: bold">County</SPAN></st1:PlaceType></st1:place><SPAN style=3D"=
FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times=
New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"> Line Item 08-18-488-03)<o:p></o:p>=
</SPAN></H1>
<H1 style=3D"MARGIN: auto 0in; TEXT-ALIGN: left" align=3Dleft><SPAN style=
=3D"FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: 'T=
imes New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">6.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun:=20=
yes"> </SPAN>During the evaluation process, do you have reference a de=
tailed report including the case number, the charge and/or type of crime, ho=
urs spent in defense of each specific case, and the case outcome for each ye=
ar of a public defenders contract? <SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> <=
/SPAN>Can the public access this report?<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&n=
bsp; </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></H1>
<H2 style=3D"MARGIN: 12pt 0in 3pt"><SPAN style=3D"FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-=
SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-fon=
t-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">7.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun:=20=
yes"> </SPAN>Washington Defender Association Standards, number 3 sugge=
sts: =E2=80=9CIn jurisdictions where assigned counsel or contract attorneys=20=
also maintain private law practices, the contracting agency should ensure th=
at attorneys not accept more cases than they can reasonably discharge. In th=
ese situations, the caseload ceiling should be based on the percentage of ti=
me the lawyer devotes to public defense.=E2=80=9D<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun=
: yes"> </SPAN>Further, <A name=3DStandard_Thirteen>WDA=E2=80=99s Stan=
dard Thirteen addresses =E2=80=9Climitations on private practice of contract=
attorneys</A>=E2=80=9D: =E2=80=9CContracts for public defense representatio=
n with private attorneys or firms shall set limits on the amount of privatel=
y retained work which can be accepted by the contracting attorney. These lim=
its shall be based on the percentage of a full-time caseload which the publi=
c defense cases represent.=E2=80=9D Would you consider a similar ceiling for=
Latah County Public Defenders?<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SP=
AN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></H2>
<H1 style=3D"MARGIN: auto 0in; TEXT-ALIGN: left" align=3Dleft><SPAN style=
=3D"FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: 'T=
imes New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Thank you for sending materials=
to help me understand these complex issues. It is my hope that you understa=
nd that I raise these questions not in a spirit of confrontation, but rather=
, to seek a clearer understanding of the process.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun=
: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></H1>
<H1 style=3D"MARGIN: auto 0in; TEXT-ALIGN: left" align=3Dleft><SPAN style=
=3D"FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: 'T=
imes New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></SPAN></H=
1>
<H1 style=3D"MARGIN: auto 0in; TEXT-ALIGN: left" align=3Dleft><SPAN style=
=3D"FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: 'T=
imes New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Rosemary Huskey<o:p></o:p></SPA=
N></H1>
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=3D#202360><FONT face=3D"Trebuchet MS"><SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"></S=
PAN></FONT></FONT></H1></BODY></HTML>
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