LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) – With the success of the Allen County Public Defender’s Office, the state plans to use it as a pilot program for possible regional offices.
To address the backlog of indigent cases without representation, county commissioners created the Public Defender’s Office nearly five years ago. The office now has 12 lawyers and has proved to be successful.
The state is now testing the concept of regional public defender hubs, with the pilot program to include Allen, Putnam and Hardin counties. Allen County Commissioner Cory Noonan has been working with the state to start the pilot as a way to increase the pool of public defenders.
“Very excited to have this off the ground. Over the next couple of months, they'll be shifting from county employees county office to a state entity,” Noonan said. “There shouldn't be any hiccup in the service. Nobody should notice any type of difference to this, but it will become more efficient, both in the services being provided and financially for the citizens of our area.”
The program will add six more lawyers, and the transition is scheduled to take place in October. The pilot has been approved for two years.
