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MULTI-COUNTY
PROGRAM
The Ohio Public Defender began the operation of the Multi-County Branch Office Program in 1991. The program consists of 10 counties in the south and southeastern part of the state, and includes: Adams, Athens, Brown, Fayette, Jackson, Meigs, Pickaway, Pike, Ross, and Washington Counties. Prior to the start of this program, all of the participating counties, except for Athens, did not have a county public defender and used appointed counsel exclusively. Because of rising caseloads and the economic conditions in this area of the state, the appointed counsel system was not efficient.
Under this program, the participating counties have entered into contracts with the Ohio Public Defender to provide indigent defense services. The Ohio Public Defender in turn contracts with local private attorneys or law firms in the region who provide the indigent defense service.
The Multi-County Program has
three offices located in Athens, Ross, and Washington Counties. These offices provide indigent defense services to these counties and offer support services to all participating counties.
Attorney J. Michael Westfall
, directs the program and works out of the Athens Branch
Office. Attorneys Daniel L. Silcott and
Raymond Smith manage the Ross and Washington Branch Offices, respectively.
ATHENS BRANCH STAFF:
| J. Michael Westfall |
Director |
| Douglas Francis |
Assistant State
Public Defender |
| Myca Haynes |
Assistant State
Public Defender |
| Glenn Jones |
Assistant State
Public Defender |
| Tammy Bolin |
Administrative Assistant |
| Shawna Patton |
Clerk |
TRUMBULL COUNTY BRANCH OFFICE
The Ohio Public Defender has maintained and operated a branch office in Trumbull County since 1984, in order to provide indigent criminal defense representation throughout the courts of Trumbull County.
The branch office is located in Warren, Ohio. In addition to the staff and attorneys at the branch office, the Ohio Public Defender contracts with approximately 15 local attorneys to provide indigent criminal defense representation. Cases handled by staff and contract attorneys range from misdemeanors to capital offenses, and includes juvenile cases and appeals. Attorneys also provide representation in the 11th District Court of Appeals for the cases handled by the branch office in the lower courts, or for defendants who can no longer afford representation at the appellate level.
A Drug Court Program was recently implemented by the Trumbull County Court of Common Pleas, and received assistance from the branch office. Although the program has only been in existence a short time, the anticipated rehabilitative benefits for defendants have been evident.
Attorney James F. Lewis directs the Trumbull County Branch
Office.
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