Information provided by the County of San Benito. Lea este artículo en español aquí.
The Public Defender Oversight Committee (PDOC) under the approval of the Board of Supervisors has four vacancies available to be filled by community members. The role of the Committee is to provide recommendations to the Board of Supervisors concerning public defense services in the County. Public Defenders are appointed by the Court in cases when a defendant cannot afford an attorney. Access to legal representation is a vital component to the community because everyone has equal right to legal representation in court.
The committee’s general purpose and duties have been established to oversee public defender services in San Benito County, to ensure timely and quality services. Some of those specific duties include:
1. Help to ensure that public defense services are timely and high-quality
2. Develop performance measurements for Public Defenders
3. Make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors regarding staffing for Public Defender services
4. Oversight of existing Public Defense contracts
5. Evaluation and recommendation regarding possible in-house Public Defender Department
6. Make recommendations regarding Public Defender budget allocation
7. Establish goals and action plans
We are looking for two members (one voting member and one non-voting member) from community-based organizations such as non-profits or other groups that serve justice-involved individuals.
We also have two vacancies (one voting member and one non-voting member) that could be filled by anyone from the community. This would be a great role for someone who has lived experience firsthand, or for someone who has a family member who went through the justice system and/or someone who has a general interest in the justice system.
If interested in the above vacancies, please contact Vanessa Delgado at the San Benito County Clerk of the Board’s Office via email at vdelgado@sanbenitocountyca.gov or in person at 481 Fourth Street, Hollister, CA 95023 for an application.
Applications are due no later than 12 p.m. (noon) on November 20, 2024. For more information on the committee or its roles, please contact Ella Henson at ehenson@sanbenitocountyca.gov.
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