The Public Defender Service (PDS), created under the Court Reform Act of 1970 (D.C. Code § 2-2201 et seq.), provides legal representation to indigent citizens of the District of Columbia in criminal, juvenile and mental health commitment cases. Representation is furnished in both the trial and appellate courts. The Service also serves as a resource for private counsel appointed under the District of Columbia Criminal Justice Act to represent those persons not represented by PDS, and makes available to them at no charge investigative and social work services as well as legal consultation.

As the practice of criminal and juvenile law becomes more specialized, the courts and community have recognized the importance of having experienced, well-trained counsel. As a result, there is an increasing dependence by the courts on PDS to provide counsel for serious and complicated cases. Similarly, numerous community organizations have urged the expansion of the PDS staff to enable them to provide quality representation for a greater proportion of the citizens passing through our courts.

The proposed budget for 110 positions and $2,901,200 does not provide any expansion in these important programs. The Mayor's mark includes an increase of $40,000 for the Service to partially fund the cost of within grade increases. Due to absorption of inflationary costs and inadequate amounts included in the mark for the 1978 and 1979 cost of living increases this proposed budget will fund an average employment of only 103 positions, compared to the 110 positions authorized. Through stringent economy measures and holding open vacancies for lang periods of time, the Service will be able to recover only a portion of this reduction of manpower.

DISTRICT OF
COLUMBIA
GOVERNMENT

01

Redirections Out

1. From Personal Services $10,700 redirected to other objects
to cover inflationary costs; and the fiscal impact on
the Service's telephone system of additional personnel
and building location.

Redirections In

1. $2,400 redirected from personal services to supplies and materials to cover inflationary costs.

2. $8,300 redirected from personal services to the Energy, Communications and Building Rent object class to cover the fiscal impact of the Service's new location and of newly authorized personnel.