Montgomery County officials approved the hiring of 15 new public defenders during a salary board meeting in Norristown on Thursday, August 15, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
The public defenders are expected to be hired in the coming months and represent “the largest infusion of lawyers into that office in recent memory,” according to the article.
The decision comes as a response to recent research showing that many jurisdictions across the state are “so understaffed in public defenders’ offices that they risk depriving citizens of their Constitutional right to an effective attorney.”
The county’s chief defender, Christine P. Lora, said the office currently employs about 50 attorneys. The new positions will allow her to add lawyers to units including adult criminal divisions and juvenile services.
Compensation for the new Montgomery County Public Defender’s Office ranges from $61,249 and $91,566.45 for attorneys, $42,281 to $64,833.55 for office support personnel, and $93,787 to $143,807.55 for the assistant chief of mental health.
Newly opened public defender positions include (full list of openings here):
- Assistant Chief Mental Health Attorney
- Assistant Public Defender
- Assistant Public Defender – Child Advocacy Unit
- Assistant Public Defender – Juvenile Delinquency
- Office Support Person VII – Public Defender
To apply to be represented by a public defender, you can click here.