Administration Division 

The Administrative Division consists of six sections: Human Resources, Information Systems, Fiscal, Office Services, County Reimbursement, and the Legal Resource Center.

The mission of the administrative division is to provide quality support services that are responsive to the agency’s needs, goals, and objectives, and accountable to the public concern. Much of the division provides the necessary services common to most state agencies, including fiscal and accounting, personnel and training, computer information systems, purchasing, fleet management, and delivery. In addition, the Administrative Division also provides services specifically mandated by O.R.C. §120, including: collecting reimbursement from the counties for legal services provided by the Ohio Public Defender; processing reimbursement to the counties for indigent defense programs; producing educational seminars and conferences; and maintaining the office’s library. John D. Alge supervises this division.

The Human Resources Section provides comprehensive personnel, training, and employee services for the agency. This section is responsible for retaining quality employees for the Ohio Public Defender. In recent years, this section has also taken over responsibilities previously fulfilled by the Department of Administrative Services, including: personnel actions, position descriptions; and non-disputed disability claims. Sharon Allison is the Human Resources Director for the Ohio Public Defender.

The Computer Information Systems Section plans and manages all Ohio Public Defender computer systems and provides training and support to Ohio Public Defender employees. In addition, the staff coordinates application development efforts, provides computer services to the Branch Offices, and assists the library in maintaining on-line legal research tools. The agency’s computer staff have designed and developed a premier computer system.  Frequently, outside entities such as county public defender offices and other state organizations contact our computer staff regarding our network design. Ken McNeil is the IT Director for the Ohio Public Defender.

The Office Services Section provides basic support services including: purchasing equipment and supplies; managing agency inventory; providing records and fleet management; planning office space and facilities; telecommunications; copying; and delivery services. Dennis Taylor is the Office Services Manager for the Ohio Public Defender.

The Fiscal Section provides accounting services such as payroll, purchase order processing, revenue collection, financial reporting, and record-keeping. Fiscal staff provide division heads and the director with monthly updates on their respective budgets and personal service contracts. The staff also create and publish an annual financial report in order to provide a permanent budgetary history of the Ohio Public Defender.

The County Reimbursement Program processes indigent defense reimbursement payments to the counties and court-appointed attorneys. Together, Ohio county public defenders handled over 244,000 cases in fiscal year 2002. The costs for operating these systems was $39,742,003. The Ohio Public Defender then reimburses these counties for up to 50% of allowable costs, which amounted to $15,561,292 in fiscal year 2002.

In addition, the Ohio Public Defender is responsible for reimbursing counties for court-appointed counsel in death penalty representation. The Ohio Public Defender reimbursed counties a total of $866,522 in fiscal year 2002 for death penalty representation. Assistant State Public Defender Kathryn Smith runs the County Reimbursement Section.

The County Outreach Program has recently been reinstated. This program provides a free consulting service to Ohio Counties, conducting an in-depth evaluation of their local indigent defense system. This evaluation includes making recommendation to help counties reduce costs, improving the quality of service, and maximizing state reimbursements. The Ohio Public Defender observes each of the courts and/or speaks with judges, prosecutors, public defenders, local bar members, county commissioners, auditors, court reporters, and bailiffs. The office gathers data, prepare budgets, conduct statistical analysis, and provides other information on current and alternative delivery systems. The service is free and can be requested by any county official. During the past three years, the indigent defense systems in Delaware, Van Wert, and Mahoning Counties were evaluated and recommendations were made to the Boards of County Commissioners. Assistant State Public Defender Dan Jones runs the County Outreach Program.

► Human Resources Section

► Information Systems Section

► Fiscal Section

► County Reimbursement Section

► County Outreach Program

► Legal Resource Center

“No question is ever settled until it is settled right."

Ella Wheeler Wilcox