""I'm confident that the County Administration values the critical service we provide and the precarious staffing situation we face. I believe they will do everything possible to ensure we continue to meet our constitutional and ethical mandates.""
""Around 46 felony attorneys had to handle a total of more than 6,400 cases last year, while 19 misdemeanor attorneys were forced to take on 13,545 cases, equating to 139 cases per felony attorney and 713 cases per misdemeanor attorney.""
""National caseload standards established by the RAND Corporation recommend 150 cases per misdemeanor attorney and 59 per felony attorney. Damon's office has been forced to exceed those standards by up to 400%.""
Santa Clara County public defenders are under significant strain, with caseloads far exceeding national standards. The county has lost 33 public defenders in two years, and a $270 million budget deficit exacerbates the situation. Public Defender Damon Silver highlights the critical service provided by his office, emphasizing the need for adequate resources. Last year, felony attorneys managed over 6,400 cases, averaging 139 cases each, while misdemeanor attorneys handled 13,545 cases, averaging 713 cases each, far surpassing recommended limits set by the RAND Corporation.
Read at San Jose Spotlight
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