Vermont
The state of Vermont funds and administers all indigent defense services in adult criminal trials. A state agency administers services. The state has no commission providing oversight of the agency.
The state of Vermont funds and administers all indigent defense services for adult criminal cases in its appellate court. A state agency administers services. The state has no commission providing oversight of the agency.
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14 Counties State Funded
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14 Counties State Administered
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14 Counties with No Commission, But Statewide Authority
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14 Counties State Funded
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14 Counties State Administered
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14 Counties with No Commission, But Statewide Authority
The state-funded Office of the Defender General (ODG) administers indigent defense services across the state. Fourteen field offices, consisting of seven public defender offices and seven private law firms under flat fee contracts with ODG, provide primary representation. ODG also contracts with private law firms on a flat fee basis to provide conflict representation. When no conflict contractor is available, local judges can appoint private attorneys on a case-by-case basis for a small portion of conflict cases. Those attorneys are paid hourly at state expense, and ODG can reassign the case to another attorney, as needed. The ODG also provides juvenile, appellate and post-conviction representation.
The governor appoints a defender general to lead ODG. The defender general is responsible for managing the operations of ODG and establishing standards applicable to all indigent defense providers in the state. The state does not have a separate commission to provide oversight of the defender general.
The state-funded Office of the Defender General (ODG) administers indigent defense services in adult appeals across the state. The appellate defender division of the ODG, staffed by public defenders, provides primary appellate services. Private attorneys under contract with ODG handle conflict and overflow cases. The ODG also provides adult trial and juvenile representation.
The governor appoints a defender general to lead ODG. The defender general is responsible for managing the operations of ODG and establishing standards applicable to all indigent defense providers in the state. The state does not have a separate commission to provide oversight of the defender general.
Dig Deeper
What are the required qualifications of the defender general?
How is the defender general appointed and supervised?
Is an indigent defendant required to pay a fee for their appointed counsel?
In which branch of state government does the indigent defense system reside?
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Criminal justice issues that disproportionately harm poor people, such as wrongful convictions and over-incarceration, cannot be fixed if indigent defendants are given attorneys who do not have the time, resources, or qualifications, to be a constitutional check on government. Yet, investment in improving indigent defense services remains largely neglected. The Sixth Amendment Center is the only nonprofit organization in the country that exclusively examines, uncovers, and helps fix the root of the indigent defense crisis in which inequality is perpetuated because poor defendants do not get a fair fight.
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