1985-134 - Laserfiche WebLink

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RESOLUTION NO. 85-134 A RESOLUTION OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA, TO THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA IN SUPPORT OF ADEQUATE FUNDING FOR THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE IN THE 19TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT. WHEREAS, the 19th Judicial Circuit is comprised of Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin and Okeechobee Counties; and WHEREAS, the Public Defender for the District has requested each of the named counties for county contributions to his budget for fiscal year 1985-86 so that he will be able to perform his State -mandated duties in the defense of defendants charged with criminal charges; and WHEREAS, Florida law provides that the funding of the Public Defender's Office is the responsibility of the State and not t the counties; and WHEREAS, if the counties fail to authorize a budgetary increase for the Public Defender's Office, in reliance on State law, his office will decline representation of a substantial number of persons charged with criminal offenses who will then be given court-appointed lawyers by the trial judge, at the expense of the county; and WHEREAS, this latter procedure would result in even more expense to the county than by financing the Public Defender's Office by direct county contribution; and WHEREAS, Indian River County feels that the State is not meeting its responsibility and is handicapping the County with substantial unbudgeted expenses; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA, THROUGH ITS BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS that: 1. The Governor and the Florida Legislature are rebpectfully requested to properly fund the budget of the Public Defender of the 19th Judicial Circuit for the 1985-86 fiscal year, so that the counties comprising that circuit will not have to contribute substantial unbudgeted county moneys for the support of a Stpte responsibility. -1-