LAWRENCE CO. – Lawrence County Chief Public Defender Tim Sledd requested permission from the Commissioners this morning to apply for a pilot program by The Commission on Court Appointed Attorneys aimed at reimbursing up to 40% of misdemeanor costs for selected counties.
“This will bring dollars back to the community,” added Sledd.
This initiative, which could begin as early as July 1, 2025, will run until June 30, 2029, allowing the CCAA to evaluate the impact of such reimbursement on misdemeanor case outcomes and the effectiveness of CCAA standards.
Counties chosen for participation will be selected based on population and geographic diversity. Data collection will be emphasized to assess the pilot’s outcomes. Funding will also be available to support accurate data gathering, expected to start no later than January 2025.
The CCAA prioritizes counties capable of implementing effective data collection early in the process. Counties that only want funding for data collection without reimbursement for misdemeanors may also apply.
Requests for participation will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with a deadline for priority consideration set for December 6, 2024. Decisions regarding funds for data collection will be made by January 2025. Selected counties for full participation will receive agreements before the program’s start, contingent on finalizing the required indigency form by the Office of Judicial Administration.
