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JUN 18 1986 <br />BOOK 64 Frac 7;")-6 <br />Chairman Scurlock did not feel there is any option; the <br />service has to be rendered and on the most economical basis, and <br />he, therefore, felt we should consider Alternative 3 and try to <br />negotiate a fee with some local attorney, He also felt we should <br />join in with our neighboring counties and file suit against the <br />state and tell the state to live up to its responsibilities. <br />MOTION WAS MADE by Commissioner Lyons, SECONDED by <br />Commissioner Bird, to direct staff to take whatever <br />legal steps are available, including lawsuit, to get <br />the state to meet its obligations and properly fund the <br />Public Defender's Office and also ask the neighboring <br />counties if they wish to participate in this action. <br />Attorney Vitunac did not know if such a suit would succeed, <br />but he believed it will bring attention to the problem and show <br />the state we are serious about this. <br />Attorney Wilson noted that this is a general problem all <br />over the state, not just in this Judicial Circuit. <br />THE CHAIRMAN CALLED FOR THE QUESTION. <br />It was voted on and carried unanimously. <br />Commissioner Bird noted that we went with Alternative 4 last <br />year, but he did believe we should explore Alternative 3. <br />Public Defender Elton Schwarz advised that Martin County <br />pursued this alternative a few months ago. They received two <br />bids and accepted one for $350 per case for misdemeanors and <br />$500-550 for felonies; however, this could amount to $350,000 per <br />year. <br />Chairman Scurlock stated that one of the problems he has <br />with Alternative 4 where the County hires the attorneys is that <br />it sends the message to the state that this is a more permanent <br />situation with salary rather than a contractual basis. <br />62 <br />1 <br />