The Committee for Public Counsel Services has delivered a proposed plan to
legislators. Under the proposal, CPCS staff attorneys will handle at least 25
percent of cases involving indigent defendants by the end of fiscal year
2012. Currently, CPCS' 252 staff attorneys handle about 10 percent of such
cases in Massachusetts. According to CPCS' proposal, implementation will
require the hiring of 340 new full-time employees -- including attorneys,
support staff, social workers and investigators. Using a two phased
approach, 213 of the new full-time employees would begin on or before October 3,
2011, with the remaining127 starting on or about January 1, 2012.
The proposal came in response to the FY 2012 state budget signed by Governor
Patrick in July that required CPCS submit a plan to the Legislature by September
1st. To read CPCS’ proposed plan, click
here.