Nuria DiLuzio, Northampton County's Chief Public Defender, asked County Council last night to create a new position in her office for a full-time first assistant. That position currently exists but it is part-time. She assured Council that she has money in her budget to pay for that position this year. She added that if Council creates this position, she will return and ask to eliminate the part-time position.
Her office currently consists of 13 part-time public defenders, 4 full-time public defenders, a support staff of 3 and a client advocate. Her office handles 75% of the criminal cases filed in the county.
She said that her office is very strong and winning a record number of criminal cases.
Amazingly, up until now, clients who sought a public defender were unable to do so online. She finally persuaded the county's outside IT department to make that option available, and it "really has streamlined our service" with the public and defendants awaiting trial.
She also answered questions about the county's problem-solving courts, where her office assigns a defender.
County Council will vote on her request tonight.
She's doing much better than most Public Defenders throughout the state. According to Pittsburgh Courier, Pennsylvania faces a shortage of about 30% of the public defenders it needs. This results in criminal defendants sitting in jail longer than necessary and clogs dockets
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