Title
Chief Administrative Office recommending the Board approve the following:
1) Approve agreement 105-S1811 for the provision of conflict indigent defense services with El Dorado Law, A Professional Law Corporation, in the base amount of $1,700,496 for the two-year period of July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2019; and
2) Authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute the Agreement.
FUNDING: General Fund.
Body
DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION
Approve and authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute the Agreement.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The constitutions of the United States and California mandate that persons who are accused of crimes or are otherwise at risk for loss of liberty, and who do not have the means to pay for legal representation due to indigence be provided legal representation at public expense. The primary provider of these services in El Dorado County is the Public Defender; however, there are instances in which the Public Defender's Office, due to a conflict of interest or other valid reason, cannot ethically represent certain indigent defendants. In these circumstances, the Court appoints an attorney from outside the Public Defender's Office to provide representation. Historically, the County has held contracts with multiple local, private attorneys, known as the "Conflict Panel," to provide these services.
On April 19, 2016, the Board awarded RFP No. 16-918-039 for the provision of conflict indigent defense services to El Dorado Law and authorized the CAO to negotiate a contract. The final contract with El Dorado Law was approved by the Board on June 14, 2016. The current contract expires on June 30, 2017, and provides for 11 attorneys (8 on the West Slope and 3 on the East Slope) and two administrative staff, at a base cost of $972,554, plus ancillary costs and compensation for unusual or extended cases and capital cases. After reviewing caseload data provided pursuant to the terms of the contract, CAO staff approached El Dorado Law about reducing t...
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