People who face a criminal misdemeanor charge and qualify for a court-appointed attorney in Duval County will receive representation from a significantly enhanced legal team, thanks to Public Defender Pro Bono Opportunities.
The program is offered through The Jacksonville Bar Association and the Office of the Public Defender.
Now in its sixth year, the program provides free criminal law training for private practitioners who want to satisfy pro bono service requirements, diversify their practice or simply help a less fortunate person.
Upon completion of the training, which was April 22, participants become Special Assistant Public Defenders and receive a misdemeanor case assignment.
Public Defender Matt Shirk said Duval County and the JBA have benefited from “this very positive, smart justice program.”
“It provides a client with the focused attention of one attorney who is not juggling a large criminal caseload, it relieves taxpayers by strengthening the misdemeanor attorney pool at the PD Office with contributions from pro bono lawyers and it allows participants to satisfy pro bono hours while protecting the constitutional rights of us all,” Shirk said.
In addition to the basic criminal law training offered since the program began in 2010, two new courses were offered this year: Probation Options and Preserving the Record.
Also new this year was the inclusion of the Florida Coastal School of Law Criminal Defense Clinic, which works locally under the supervision of Professor Lois Ragsdale, a former assistant public defender.
“This was a wonderful opportunity for the students,” said Ragsdale. “While it was a good review of ongoing coursework, it provided a very helpful, succinct summary of criminal defense as it is performed by defense attorneys who are in the trenches every day.
“Furthermore, the interaction with civil attorneys, who were attending the same training, gave the students insight into the differences in criminal and civil practice,” she said.
During the training, eight criminal law courses were presented by assistant public defenders and Duval County Court Judge Gary Flower.
The program is coordinated by assistant public defenders Kate Bedell and Mary Hickson, who oversee the Public Defender’s County Court Unit.
To date, more than 50 local attorneys have participated in the program, which significantly enhances the criminal defense bar in Jacksonville. People interested in the program may contact the Public Defender’s Office at [email protected].
Participants in the 2015 PBO came from practices ranging from maritime law to taxation and elder law. Attorneys who are newly appointed special assistant public defenders are Lynn Bailey, Patricia Fain, James Galloway, Debbie Lee-Clark, Michael Lockamy, Chardea Murray, Mitchell Ritchie, William Roelke and Robert Warren.
Florida Coastal students who attended include Ayobami Adeoti, Shannon Augustin, Kylie Kennon, Alyssa Novak, Kristen Nyquist, Paul Quinn, Nathalie Orphee, Madonna Smith and Chad Templeton.