The Criminal Defense Representation Counsel, Region G is based in ILS’ Western New York Regional Support Center (WNY RSC) in Buffalo. The WNY RSC addresses the compelling need for ILS to provide state expertise for WNY county governments and providers of public defense services and to assure that the reforms initiated by the Hurrell-Harring settlement and its extension statewide under Executive Law § 832(4) are implemented as effectively and as efficiently as possible. This position works directly with county based criminal public defense providers, including Public Defender Offices, Conflict Defender Offices, legal aid societies and Assigned Counsel Programs. This position does not engage in direct representation of clients.
The Criminal Defense Representation Counsel, Region G is responsible for the effective implementation of Executive Law § 832(4)(a) (counsel at arraignment), § 832(4)(b) (caseload relief), and § 832(4)(c) (initiatives to improve quality), as well as monitoring implementation and efficacy of these reforms in Region G which consists of Cayuga, Monroe, Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Tompkins, Wayne, and Yates counties. This position reports to the Attorney in Charge of the Western New York Regional Support Center, who works under the guidance of the Criminal Defense Representation Chief.
Specific duties include:
• Under the supervision of the Attorney in Charge of WNY RSC, and in collaboration with the Criminal Defense Representation team, works toward successful implementation of the ILS reform plans within the region, identifies challenges to implementation, and works with county officials and providers of public defense to develop creative solutions to meet the challenges.
• Consults with the providers of legal representation in the Region G counties and other responsible officials to identify opportunities for enhancing the quality of criminal defense representation provided under article 18-B of the County Law.
• Facilitates the development and implementation of regional initiatives to improve the quality of public criminal defense representation, including regionalizing access to specialized professional supports for criminal defense representation.
• Assists with the implementation and monitoring of caseload/workload standards in criminal cases for each provider of mandated representation in the Region G counties, including representation in both trial and appellate-level cases.
• Works with the Region G providers and counties to ensure that eligible individuals receive quality defense representation at arraignment and monitor progress of the structures put in place to achieve this goal.
• Assists in maximizing the use of state funding by Region G counties and public defense providers, including negotiating budgets for ILS contracts with providers and counties within the region.
• Provides consultation to public defense attorneys upon request.
• Works closely with the Resource Support and Data Specialist and ILS’ Research Unit to ensure collection and reporting of all relevant data, and with the WNY RSC Family Court Counsel and Appellate Counsel to identify areas where quality improvement and greater efficiencies may be achieved.
• Consults regularly with the other ILS staff to problem-solve and promote improved quality representation.
• Undertakes other activities as requested in furtherance of the Office’s overall responsibility to make efforts to improve the quality of indigent legal services representation under County Law article 18-B.