At the most recent Commission meeting, the potential of an agency name change was discussed. The general consensus was that a new name would help alleviate confusion between the Commission, the PD Council, and the State PD. Any change should also clarify the Commission's role.

The Commission decided not to make this a high priority. However, since it will require a statutory change, we should have a new name ready IF legislation is introduced in the 2023 Legislative Session where such a change might be housed. 

So, after EXTENSIVE discussion and debate, Commission Staff has landed on this option.

What do YOU think?

Answers will be anonymous. Click "quick poll" to reply!

The Commission has partnered with the Chief PD Association and the PD Council to advocate for the creation of a PD Retirement Fund, similar to the funds currently available to prosecutors and judges.

The first step in this process was to seek the endorsement of the Legislative Interim Study Committee on Pension Management Oversight (PMOC). Traditionally, the legislature requires this committee’s endorsement prior to taking legislative action during the regular legislative session. Click here to see the letters from key legislators requesting approval from legislative leadership to study the issue. If you have the opportunity, please thank the legislators who signed the letters for their support. 

After conducting an actuarial study, the Indiana Public Retirement System testified about details at the October 17 meeting. Additionally, Noble County Chief and President of the Chiefs’ Association Jim Abbs testified regarding the importance of this matter. Andrew Cullen also testified, explaining that this fund would help with talent recruitment and counter the current Indiana lawyer shortage.

The Committee endorsed the creation of the fund 17-0. It will now move forward during the legislative session beginning in January. Questions may be directed to Andrew Cullen. 

The Commission’s Standard E allows an attorney to take an approved trial practice course in place of completing one of two required felony jury trials to be qualified to handle Level 1-4 felony cases. At the June meeting, the Commission approved a new program offered by the Public Defender Council that may be used to substitute for a major felony jury trial.

The new course is a one-on-one mentoring program for public defenders that takes place over four months and 14 meetings with your mentor/coach, culminating in 16 hours of CLE (including one hour for ethics). Diane Black, Training Director for the Public Defender Council, has developed the program. Two experienced attorneys, Fran Watson and Mark Clark, will serve as the two mentors/coaches. Participants in the program will meet with their coach and prepare two cases, taking the case from start to finish. If the cases go to trial, the coach will attend and provide feedback to the attorney. To receive credit by the Commission for the new program, participants must complete all 16 hours and be certified by the Public Defender Council as having successfully finished the entire program.

The first group of participants have already started the program. In fact, the Public Defender Council received more applicants for the inaugural program than they could accommodate. Participants include both relatively inexperienced as well as more advanced attorneys. The Commission is hopeful the program will be a success and continue to be offered.

The Commission had previously approved the following courses that may also replace one of the two required felony jury trials required to be qualified for Levels 1-4 cases under Standard E:

• The Trial Practice Institute offered by the Public Defender Council (not including OWI, juvenile delinquent, or CHINS specific courses)
• The Trial Advocacy Skills College offered by ICLEF
• The Indianapolis Building Trial Skills Course offered by NITA, and
• The Kentucky Department of Advocacy’s Faubush Litigation Persuasion Institute.

As always, we encourage you to review the Commission’s Guidelines online or reach out to us at information@pdcom.in.gov for advice on what courses count toward Commission requirements.

The Commission has recently updated its website to include an interactive state map with current contact information for all counties that participate in the Commission's reimbursement programs. 

Please check it out, and let us know if any information should be updated. Inquiries or updates may be directed to Linda Hunter. 

A note from Stephanie....

It was great to see you at the 2022 Association of Indiana Counties Conference in September!

So many of you stopped by our booth for a chance to win a prize that we broke the spinning wheel! No worries - because we’ll be sure to get a new one for next year.

Momentum is building for the Title IV-E program. We hope to increase participation now that we have good contact information provided by many of you while at the conference. Make sure that you click below to see if your county is benefiting.

If your county is grey or yellow, we’d love to hear from you because you are leaving federal money on the table that could be used to reimburse your approved CHINS expenses.  

Please contact Stephanie Lalani for details or with questions. 

The Commission is continuing to accept and evaluate proposals for projects designed to impact “At-Risk Youth and Families.” The Commission has already approved over $1 million in county-based pilot projects that are now up and running. Future proposals will be evaluated on a rolling basis.

The intended goals of these projects are: (1) to create long-term improvements in systems that serve Indiana at-risk youth and families involved with Indiana’s family/child welfare system, the juvenile delinquency system, or both, and (2) to create system improvements that proactively prevent such involvements. Projects should also have a clear intersection with the public defense system. Finally, projects will require a significant data component, which Commission staff will help you develop.

If you have any questions about this request for proposals, contact Derrick Mason or Torrin Liddell. If you are unsure if your potential project meets the criteria above, we encourage you to reach out!

The following local Public Defender Board members were re-appointed to three-year terms at the October meeting: