Join us:
Screenings of the documentary "Just Getting By" and other events this fall at locations across the state.
See dates and times
See dates and times
For at least 135 years Vermont has recognized that equality is crucial to criminal justice and provided legal counsel to the indigent. In 1972 a statewide system of public defense was created: the Office of the Defender General
There are two criteria for services: need; and seriousness of the charge. Need is based on federal poverty guidelines; copayments may apply. Defendants must be charged with felonies, misdemeanors subject to imprisonment or fine of $1,000 or more. Acts by juveniles that would be considered serious crimes if committed by adults, also qualify.
The Defender General has 50 attorneys — 33 staff and 17 contract — in 12 regional offices. If there is a conflict, legal or ethical, the case is assigned to an attorney under contract or an outside lawyer.
In 2007, the Defender General:
• defended 2,007 juveniles and 12,309 adults
• contracted with assigned counsel to represent approximately 5,700 clients
• accrued $636,915 to the Public Defender Special Fund in copayments
• managed approximately 100 contract attorneys
Employees: 66 positions (33 public defenders,
15 secretaries, 11 investigators, 6 administrators,
1 paralegal)
Fiscal Year 2007 Expenditures: $9,790,188
(92 percent personal services, 8 percent operating expenses*)
Fiscal Year 2007 Revenues: $9,790,188
(92 percent General Fund, 6 percent Special Funds,
2 percent other*)
* Combined budgets, Public Defense and Assigned Counsel sections.
Sources: Office of the Defender General, Act 27 of The Vermont General Assembly 1872
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